Ships await Richards Bay port entry after storm
The harbour was closed between last Friday and Tuesday until the extreme weather conditions finally cleared
FIFTY-SEVEN ships had accumulated at the outer anchorage of the Richards Bay harbour by Friday afternoon after last week’s torrential rains and gale force winds disrupted port operations.
The harbour was closed between last Friday and Tuesday until the extreme weather conditions finally cleared.
Harbour Master Sabelo Mdlalose explained that prior to the storm, the port was already handling an increased number of vessel arrivals owing to an increase in the export of coal.
‘The adverse weather then exacerbated this, with winds in excess of 75 knots and swells of over nine metres,’ he said.
‘These conditions led to port movements being halted for 96 hours.
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‘The Port Authority, together with the terminal operators, have put measures in place to uphold efficiency during the period, and we expect the situation will be back to normal in two weeks’ time.’
Adding pressure to making up for lost time is that the port’s helicopter pilot services are currently out of action.
While the chopper is grounded, pilot boats are guiding vessels entering and exiting the harbour, a somewhat slower process.
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