Multi-million Rand tug jetty project kicks off at Durban port
TNPA said the aim of the construction is to increase port operational efficiencies and provide sufficient berthing space for all marine craft.
THE Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA)’s Port of Durban kicked off a multi-million Rand tug jetty expansion project that is set to increase the marine fleet’s berthing space to handle the growing vessel sizes and reduce the port’s turnaround time.
According to the port manager, Mpumi Dweba, the R127m construction project will be implemented in two segments. The first segment includes the establishment of a new 110m tug jetty adjacent and parallel to the existing jetty. The second segment is the extension of the existing tug jetty by 35m.
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“The construction activities commenced in May 2021. The project was awarded in February 2021 and WBHO Construction (Pty) Ltd was the successful bidder to execute the expansion,” said Dweba.
The second construction segment is scheduled to commence in June 2022 and plans to deepen the tug basin to -8m chart datum (CD) to accommodate all the tug sizes in the port will be featured.
“Upon completion of the first segment, the jetty will be handed over to the port’s marine department to be used to dock its marine fleet. The existing jetty will be decommissioned and handed over to the contractor to start with the extension and deepening of the old tug jetty,” said Dweba.
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Port Engineer, Malefetsane Setaka said the provision of efficient marine services is one of TNPA’s core service offerings to the shipping industry.
“These services include providing a towage, docking, and/or undocking services to vessels calling at and leaving the port. The efficiency of this service is dependent on a reliable fleet of tugs capable of delivering an agreed service level of above 85% to a wide range of vessels. With the plans currently being executed, the marine services function will operate efficiently in ensuring that the organisation delivers on the agreed service offering to clients, “said Setaka.
The Port of Durban currently has marine crafts as part of its marine fleet and is made up of tugs, launches, pilot boats, punts, a debris collection boat, a floating crane and corporate craft (Isiponono).
“As part of the organszational socio-economic mandate, it was a mandatory requirement that the tenderer sub contracts at least 30% of the project to small businesses with a minimum of 51% owned by black people,” said Setaka.
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