Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is buying six mobile harbour cranes to add to its fleet as part of a R438.3-million investment in container-handling capacity at its Durban RoRo and Maydon Wharf terminal.

Liebherr-Werk Nenzing has agreed to handle the design, fabrication, delivery, erection, testing and commissioning of the cranes as part of its contract, TPT announced on Thursday.

The increase in capacity at the terminal, which mainly handles bulk, agri-bulk and roll on, roll off cargo, complemented the Durban Container Terminal’s existing capacity, reducing vessel delays and improving service offering at the port.

"The investment in these assets is part of our aggressive drive to improve infrastructure and facilities at all our terminals," TPT CEO Karl Socikwa said in a statement.

The Durban Container Terminal’s Pier 2 was expecting delivery of seven tandem-lift ship-to-shore cranes in late 2012, while two cranes were being assembled at the Ngqura Container Terminal, adding to the terminal’s existing fleet of six mega-max ship-to-shore cranes.

“In total, TPT has bought 15 cranes for container-handling throughout its terminals in the last nine months as part of Transnet’s accelerated fleet renewal programme – a key element of the company’s efficiency improvement drive,” he said.

Further, Liebherr has committed to implement local supplier development initiatives, as part of the Department of Public Enterprises’ Supplier Development Programme, over the next five years.

This would ensure competence and expertise within South African companies to manufacture parts and fully assemble cranes and maritime equipment.