The port of Richards Bay, the largest in South Africa by volume, is to get a R600-million boost to improve its cargo handling capacity, a National Ports Authority (NPA) official said.
Port manager Thami Ntshingila said the investment, which will be made in 2006, will enable the port to handle increased cargo volumes spurred by the country’s economic growth.
R443-million would be spent on upgrading the coal terminal at the port to export additional volumes from the current annual intake of 74-million tonnes to 90-million tonnes, Ntshingila said in a statement.
Improvements would also be made to the bulk liquid berthing capacity at the port in an investment expected to cost R188-million.
”These investments are necessary to increase our capacity to handle more cargo. But at the same time, due to economies of scale, we can assist in the drive to reduce the costs of doing business at this highly industrialised port, as we position ourselves to meet our present and future challenges.”
Ntshingila said another priority area would be to develop human capital with appropriate management and technical skills required to drive the process of improving the port’s operational efficiency.
”The development of new business and other growth opportunities will require a strong and stable human resources base. I am committed to ensure that we treat this as a matter of priority.” – Sapa