State-owned freight logistics group Transnet is moving ahead with the second phase of its plan to reconstruct and deepen berths at Maydon Wharf, at the Port of Durban.

Maydon Wharf, which is the largest break-bulk and dry-bulk handling precinct in the Transnet ports system, has been developed in phases since the early twentieth century. It covers 120 ha and includes 15 berths that are collectively able to handle over seven-million tons of cargo yearly.

In July 2011, the reconstruction of berth 12 was initiated as part of Phase 1, and the project was completed in November 2012. But tenders have now been invited for Phase 2, which will involve the reconstruction and deepening of berths one to four, as well berths 13 and 14.

Transnet hopes the upgrade will facilitate shorter berthing times and enable the historic multipurpose terminals to accommodate larger vessels.

Tenders opened on September 2 and will close on October 28, with construction expected to start in April 2014 and continue for 30 months.

No value has been assigned to the project, which forms part of a larger R307-billion investment plan to upgrade and expand Transnet’s railways, ports and pipelines between 2013 and 2019.

The project, which arose from a study indicating that the quay walls needed to be replaced to ensure safe and continued operations, will include the reconstruction and deepening of six steel sheet piled quay walls.

The new quay cope line will be extended by about two meters into the bay and will enable Maydon Wharf to handle larger cargo vessels, which cannot currently be accommodated if fully laden.

Spokesperson Mboniso Sigonyela says the construction process is expected to have minimal impact on businesses in the area.

“Loading and unloading activities and operations will be accommodated at the adjacent berths,” he says, adding that no change is envisaged to the functions of the existing terminals following construction.

Maydon Wharf will, therefore, remain a multipurpose terminal, handling dry bulk, edible oils and break-bulk commodities.

“The planned quay wall design caters for current mixed-cargo operations and provides flexibility should operations behind the quay change in the long term.”