The Durban Container Terminal
Photo by: TNPA
The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a tender for the reconstruction, deepening and lengthening of three berths at the Pier 2 North Quay of the currently congested Durban Container Terminal (DCT), in KwaZulu-Natal.
The five-year project, which is scheduled to start in 2024, involves deepening berths 203, 204 and 205, including the basin and approach channel, from 12.8 m to 16.5 m.
The deepening project will also enable vessels requiring a draft deeper than 12.2 m to enter the port at any time, which the TNPA says will reduce the queue of vessels waiting at anchorage until high tide.
DCT Pier 2 is South Africa’s largest container terminal but is currently heavily congested with a backlog of vessels that may be cleared only at the end of February.
The multibillion-rand works package will also involve increasing the terminal’s berth length from 914 m to 1 210 m; a length sufficient to accommodate three Super Post Panamax vessels of 350 m in length simultaneously and draft of 14.5 m.
Super Post Panamax vessels currently take up two berths on the North Quay which decreases port container capacity.
“The increased size of container vessels calling the Port of Durban has necessitated a project of this magnitude, as DCT Pier 2 berths are now operating beyond their original design specification regarding water depth,” TNPA portfolio director Dr Gasa-Toboti explained when announcing the request for proposals (RFP).
The RFP documents have been published online along with a bid-submission deadline of 16:00 on March 29, 2024.
A briefing session has been scheduled for January 29.