Steady cargo volumes amid push for Bay port development
THE Port of Richards Bay's cargo volumes have remained steady over the last three months, consistently recording around 6.5 million tonnes.
The local port, which shifted 6 538 307 tonnes in October, maintained the status quo in November with a total of 6 575 077 tonnes handled.
The total tonnage moved last month is almost a mirror reflection of the 6.5 million shifted in the same month last year but is, however, a substantial decline compared with the
8.6 million tonnes handled in November 2021.
Of the total cargo handled, 6.3 million tonnes was dry bulk, 149 361 liquid bulk and 81 087 break bulk.
A total of 42 vehicles were also handled at the Bay port.
Of the 116 vessel arrivals, 13 were tankers transporting chemical LPG and oil, and two were passenger vessels.
The port is expected to welcome 25 passenger liners throughout the 2023/24 cruise season, which will run until April next year.
The latest statistics released by Transnet
National Ports Authority (TNPA) last week come amid a recent request for proposal for the Port of Richards Bay’s South Dunes Precinct development.
Transnet is seeking to appoint terminal operators to 'fund, design, develop, operate, maintain and transfer the liquid bulk or green fuel terminals for a concession period of 25 years'.
The proposed liquid bulk sites within the South Dunes Precinct are aligned with the masterplan for the Port of Richards Bay.
"These sites will have access to existing berths 208 and 209 and, upon demand, TNPA will prioritise the development of the proposed berth 210 to support phase 2 of the liquid bulk terminals development," said TNPA KZN Logistics Hub portfolio director Dr Bridgette Gasa-Toboti.
Gasa-Toboti said the project prioritises liquid bulk handling and strengthening this sector, which is crucial for the development of the economy.
She says it also furthers the intent of creating capacity for cleaner green fuels in compliance with international standards.