Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is positioning the Port of Richards Bay as a hub for specialised cargo handling as project cargo volumes increase, driven largely by renewable energy developments.
“We’ve seen a noticeable uptick in project cargo, particularly in the renewable energy sector,” says Thulasizwe Dlamini, Managing Executive for TPT at the Port of Richards Bay.
Recent shipments have included equipment for Goldwind, in partnership with Seriti Green, for the Ummbila Emoyeni wind energy facility in Bethal, Mpumalanga. The first cargo (nine turbines with 27 blades and associated components) arrived in February. Each turbine comprises 12 components with blades requiring specially designed trucks for transport along the N2. Convoys transporting the components can reach 335 m in length.
Road modifications have been implemented along the route and Seriti is funding upgrades to port access infrastructure including quayside reinforcement, new turning circles and rehabilitation of key road sections.
Berth 708, near the port’s main gate and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), has become a key point for handling Seriti and Eskom-related project cargo. Plans are under consideration to dedicate the berth to project cargo by relocating passenger liners to other berths.
A request for information for a back-of-port facility closed in June. The planned facility will connect to the terminal by conveyor belt, moving coal handling off-site and freeing an estimated 8-10 million tonnes of capacity for non-coal commodities such as breakbulk and project cargo.
TPT is also exploring options to handle roll-on/roll-off cargo and is engaging with mining companies to increase project cargo throughput in alignment with the IDZ’s long-term development plans.
