Name of the Project
Durban Container Terminal (DCT): Pier 2 North Quay berth deepening project.

Location
Port of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Client
Transnet National Ports Authority and Transnet Port Terminals.

Project Description
Transnet plans to create deeper berths at the DCT Pier 2’s North Quay to enable the Port of Durban to accommodate newer-generation container vessels.

Currently, Super Post Panamax vessels 9 200 twenty-foot equivalent units, and larger, occupy two berths on the North Quay, decreasing port capacity, while larger vessels can enter the channel only at high tide.

The marine infrastructure works specifically entails the DCT berths 203 to 205.

The marine infrastructure works will be executed in three successive phases – starting with work on Berth 205, followed by Berth 204 and Berth 203.

This staggered approach will ensure that the terminal can accommodate two vessels at any time between berths 203 to 205 even while one berth is decommissioned.

A new quay wall will be built 50 m seawards of the existing quay wall, along berths 203 to 205, which will provide sufficient water depth to safely accommodate larger Post Panamax vessels.

The existing quay wall will be deepened from –12.8 m to –16.5 m Chart Datum Port (CDP) and lengthened from 914 m to about 1 210 m. This will allow for the simultaneous berthing of three 350-m-long Post Panamax vessels.

Dredging will be undertaken to deepen the turning basin and approach the channel serving berths 203 to 205 from –12.8 m to –16.5 m CDP.

Seven existing 80 t ship-to-shore cranes at DCT: Pier 2 will be modified to suit the profile of the new quay wall structure and serve berths 205 to 203.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Value
The project is valued at R7-billion.

Duration
The port is expected to start accommodating the newer-generation vessels by 2023.

Latest Developments
Transnet has said it will stop the R7-billion project to deepen berths at the container terminal in Durban until a dispute over the awarding of a contract is resolved.

According to Transnet, one of the unsuccessful bidders for the project has filed a court challenge against the decision to award the contract to CMI Emtateni Joint Venture (JV), which includes Italian construction company CMC Di Ravenna and local firms.

Transnet has said it will investigate the allegations made about the awarding of the contract. The company has not provided details on what the allegations are.

Reuters has reported that the officials at CMI Emtateni JV could not be reached for comment.

Transnet, which had originally planned to complete the work by 2023, has said it will provide details of the impact on the projects’ timeline when the investigation is completed.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
CMI Emtateni JV and Masinya Emtateni Empowerment Group Consortium (main marine construction works) and GIBB (ECO).

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Transnet Port Terminals corporate affairs executive manager: Mbali Mathenjwa, tel +27 31308 8310 or cell +27 83 279 2651.