Ship repair facility back in focus
Assembly Chairman notes importance of a ship repair facility at the Port of Richards Bay.
THE need for a dry dock at the Port of Richards Bay was once again brought to the attention of Transnet, this time by a Members of Parliament.
MPs representing the Parliament’s Select Committee on Economic and Business Development and the SC on Trade and International Relations, visited the port on Thursday to be briefed on the Port Authority’s various development and expansion plans.
One of the projects is the controversial ship repair facility that has for over a decade been on and off the cards, despite the port being the deepest harbour in SA and the country’s closest port of call for ships arriving from the East.
‘It would be interesting to see how you progress with the ship repair facility,’ said MP and assembly Chairperson Eddie Makue.
‘We recently introduced a draft for the Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill and we are presenting another one regarding the safety of workers on vessels.
‘Parliament is worried that if ships are stranded, there are limited rescue measures in place, particularly for ships coming from Asia.’
Port Manager Preston Khomo explained that ship repair plans for Richards Bay are still under investigation.
‘A dry dock is a long-term plan, but to handle immediate needs, we are considering a floating dock as a short-term solution,’ said Khomo.
‘We already have docks in Durban and Cape Town able to do repair work.’
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Chief Operations Officer and Acting Chief Executive, Phyllis Difeto, did however assure MPs that the Port Authority is on board with prioritising repair facilities.
‘TNPA has identified the critical need for building facilities and ship repairs.’
Powering port progress
MP Makue also enquired if the port has dependable energy supply to ensure expansion projects run smoothly.
‘If gas and oil is discovered off the coast, we cannot find ourselves in a situation where economic growth is held back because we do not have the necessary energy sources.’
Khomo stated power barges have been earmarked for the Richards Bay port as one of Transnet’s capital investments.
