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29 Jan 2018

Call for dry dock input

Dave Savides (Zululand Observer) Picture: The location of the floating dry dock and envisaged future graving dock

Progress on Port of Richards Bay floating ship repair facility

Input is being invited into the Port of Richards Bay’s proposed floating ship repair
facility, part of a substantial R4.4-billion capital investment budget over the next seven
years.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has commissioned Sivest to undertake the
Basic Assessment Process (BA) for the project.

This public participation process entails inviting comment from interested and affected
parties

The project falls under the Operation Phakisa programme, part of the Oceans Economy
drive targeting job creation and economic growth relating to the oil, gas and vessel
repair sector.

The ship repair facility, or floating dry dock, will serve cargo vessels calling at Richards
Bay and Durban, as well as offshore supply vessels servicing vessels deployed on
offshore oil and gas fields on the eastern coast.

At a cost of about R1-billion, TNPA will be upgrading and expanding the existing repair
quay in the Small Craft Harbour to accommodate Capesize vessels – bulk carriers and
tankers typically above 150 000 deadweight tonnage.

The depth at the berth will be increased to 18 metres. A fully fledged dry dock (graving dock) will be considered at a future date and is
earmarked to be located in the casuarinas area.

Information gleaned from the BA will be forwarded to the competent authority, in this
case the Department of Environmental Affairs.

A number of environmental issues have been identified for investigation, including
estuarine impact assessment; disposal of dredged material; air, noise and traffic impact;
and underwater heritage impact.

Notices of public meetings will be issued.