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All systems go as Ngqura port recieves its first commercial vessel
NGQURA - 04 October 2009 Those who occupied special vantage points today at the new deepwater Port of Ngqura in South Africa witnessed history in the making, as the 300 metre long, 13 metre deep MSC Catania sailed into the port to become the Ngqura container terminal's first commercial vessel.
The docking of the vessel - while a major milestone for the port and the country - was used as a real live test-run for vessel operators to hone their skills in this first commercial container offloading at the Port of Ngqura.
The MSC Catania is part of MSC's Europe Service. It arrived en route from Durban where adverse weather conditions during the week had delayed its expected arrival at the Port of Ngqura.
Two gangs of operators - with a third on standby - successfully put months of training to the test in handling and offloading the vessel using the port's state-of-the-art Liebherr ship-to-shore cranes. The vessel will take between eight and 12 hours to be offloaded at the Port of Ngqura and will then sail to Cape Town and onward to Europe.
Transnet Port Terminals' Chief Executive, Tau Morwe, said this marked a proud moment in the history of Transnet as well as South Africa.
"We are pleased to report that it was all smooth sailing today in terms of portside operations at Ngqura. This experimental start-up indicates we are ready to take the port to the next level," he said.
To date Transnet has invested in excess of R10 billion to develop the state-of-the-art port. It will boast the world class two-berth container terminal (with a further two berths under construction), a two-berth multipurpose terminal and a one-berth liquid bulk terminal. The Port of Ngqura's advantage over other ports in Africa is that it is a deep-water port with a depth of between 16 and 18 metres, which can accommodate the new generation container vessels.
This will enable Transnet to increase capacity for container volumes and attract additional transhipment cargo. Planning of the Port of Ngqura has been integrated with the planning of the adjacent Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) for efficiency and increased economic benefit to businesses in this location.
With its excellent supporting infrastructure and superstructure, the Ngqura container terminal will be able to accommodate Ultra-Mega ships carrying 6000 to 10 000 TEUs. It will be able to handle in excess of 100 container moves per ship working hour with stack and berth capacity to cater for future growth up to two million TEUs. The terminal boasts good inland connectivity for road and rail import and export traffic.
Port Control up and ready
The latest milestone for the Port of Ngqura is the handover of the Port Control building, where the technologically-advanced Port Control system has been declared operationally ready and is currently manned by Vessel Traffic Control personnel on a 24 hour basis.
Said Khomotso Phihlela, Chief Executive of Transnet National Ports Authority, "The Port Control serves as the core of the port's marine services to be offered by Transnet National Ports Authority. Marine services will initially be offered during daylight hours only with the Port Control operational 24 hours."
The four-storey Port Control building is equipped with world-class maritime equipment, which includes high technology Vessel Traffic Management Information Systems, Automatic Identification System (AIS), CCTV, radios and radar valued at approximately R5.5 million.
Over the past 18 months a total of 46 marine personnel have undergone intense training at the Port of Port Elizabeth in preparation for the new port's commercial launch, with specific emphasis on marine and port operations. These critical positions include Tugmasters, Marine Engineers, Vessel Traffic Control Assistants, Marine Pilots, General Purpose Ratings, Motormen, Berthing Masters, Marine Shorehands and Pilot Boat Masters.
Included in the Port Control's marine services is the planning of vessels sailing and docking in the port and sea rescue operations. The Port of Ngqura will compliment the port of Port Elizabeth Port Control in the management of vessel traffic within Algoa Bay.
In addition, a R1million camera boasting a range of 11 to 15 kilometres (km) has been installed to monitor the anchorage area and serve as Harbour Watch between the metro's two ports - Ports of Nqgura and Port Elizabeth. The Port of Ngqura is the first Transnet port to possess such a high-tech camera.
Power Tugs
The deep-water port is expecting the delivery of one of its three brand new tug boats in mid-October 2009, which is currently undergoing sea trials in the Port of Durban. The new tug boat will be officially named and blessed in nautical fashion during the imminent launch of the port and associated infrastructure.
In addition, two new tug boats will be delivered during April and May 2010. At an approximate cost of R120m per tug boat, they are regarded as the most powerful harbour tugs in South Africa as each is capable of a 70 ton bollard pull, and are most ideal for the deep-water port taking into account the size of vessels that will be transiting the Port of Ngqura.
Included in Ngqura's shipping schedule for October 2009 is the deepest container vessel to call at any South African port. It will take advantage of the port's deep water capacity with an entrance channel depth of 18m and a basin depth of 16m. The vessel is scheduled to discharge cargo at the Ngqura Container Terminal.
All on Track
Currently Transnet Freight Rail is on target for the completion of the Ngqura rail terminal, marshalling yard, and main line construction to the hinterland. There are presently four operational lines in the marshalling yard with the remaining five due to be available by March 2010.
The rail route links the new port to the City Deep rail terminal in South Africa's Gauteng Province via Beaconsfield. Transnet has refurbished some 400 container wagons. The new marshalling yard infrastructure can accommodate up to six 7 E locomotive trains per day per direction and the hinterland will have a design capacity of two trains per day. The hinterland capacity will be increased as volumes increase, subject to financial and business viability.
Also handed over recently were the container terminal's first two of four berths, the two multi-purpose berths, the single liquid berth, the four-storey Transnet Port Terminals administration building and the temporary container engineering workshop.
Equipment assembled and commissioned to date includes 22 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and six Megamax ship-to-shore cranes, two rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs), two reach stackers, four empty container handlers and installation of all 1680 reefer frames for refrigerated cargo. The Navis SPARCS N4 terminal operating system and the auto gate facility have also been commissioned.
Issued by:
Jozi Donjeany
Simeka TWS Communications
Cell: 079898 2211
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On behalf of:
Gugulethu Majozi
Transnet National Ports Authority
Telephone: 011 351-9021
Mobile: 0834767764
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