Name and Location
Prince Edward graving dry dock caisson repair project, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Client
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

Project Description
The project involves the repair of the outer caisson of the Prince Edward graving dry dock.

The project forms part of TNPA’s structured programme for the dry dock, which will include a concrete refurbishment programme, the replacement of crane rails and two aged electrical overhead cranes, as well as the refurbishment of the inner caisson.

Also included in this programme is the acquisition of new Jib cranes, the upgrade of the mechanical pumphouse, the replacement of Workshop 24 equipment, the installation of a new firefighting system, the installation of new capstans, the replacement of the floating dock and the procurement of six compressors.

This is the third and final phase of a comprehensive repair programme on the structure, which was deemed unsafe and in need of repair, owing to the 90-year-old dry dock and a general need for maintenance.

Value
R30-million.

Duration
The repair project is expected to run from July to November, with the nonoperational period flow from August to September.

Latest Developments
With close to 60% of the work completed on the TNPA’s Prince Edward graving dry dock, in Durban, the project’s handover date has been brought forward by a month to November 25.

The four-month project initially entailed a two-month nonoperational period in August and September, followed by a partly operational period in October and November.

However, the contractor was unable to take occupation of the dry dock, owing to an unexpected delay on the repair of the hospital ship Africa Mercy. The project started on August 20.

The delayed start also impacted on the erection of scaffolding, which had a direct knock-on effect on critical path activities and threatened to push the completion date of the project to December 24.

Owing to the 21 working days that were lost at the start of the project, it became apparent that the contractor’s method would need to be changed.

The TNPA has said that it has formally engaged with the South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents and the South African Ship Builders and Repairers Association to keep them informed of the adjusted timelines.

Work completed, to date, includes the refurbishment of certain sections of the 35-m-long, 900 t steel caisson and the installation of other new sections.

Additional work includes demolition and waste disposal, structural repair, welding, modification and replacement of structural members and plates, design and fabrication certification, commissioning and final handover.

The outer caisson repair project is the first of 11 Operation Phakisa projects at the dry dock and forms part of the TNPA’s large-scale repair programme for the facility.

The authority has accelerated planned refurbishments of existing ship repair facilities at its ports, in line with the South African government’s Operation Phakisa initiative, which aims to unlock the economic potential of South Africa’s oceans.

Under Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy, the plans are a key aspect of TNPA’s R35-billion-plus investments into port infrastructure, capacity and maintenance over seven years, ending 2019.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Channel Construction (repair contract), Sebata Group (managing contractor) and Naval Africa (quality assurance and technical expertise).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
TNPA – Port of Durban corporate affairs manager Ayanda Mantshongo, tel +27 31 361 8527 or email ayanda.mantshongo@transnet.net.