Transnet helps clean up at Durban
Transnet National Ports Authority at the Port of Durban has begun a major clean-up to remove the large volume of waste and vegetation left after the recent heavy rains and flooding in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Acting Durban Port manager, Nokuzola Nkowane, said all Transnet operating divisions were carrying out assessments to establish the full extent of damage caused by the storm. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding,” she said.
Debris has included large logs which post a threat to the safe navigation of harbour craft. The port’s pollution control department is aided by clean-up teams from SpillTech, Drizit and ZMK Enterprises but progress is slow due to the sheer volume of material that still continues to wash in.
The combined catchment area of the rivers, canals and storm-water drainage systems that drain into the port is over 200km² and, whilst the port has been fully operational, the ingress of waste has impacted on vessel movements with three unable to berth.
The port has urged the public to help in tackling the plastic problem by avoiding single-use plastic, recycling as much as possible, getting involved in clean-ups and observing environmental days.
“We would also like to appeal to the public to please help curb plastic pollution as this causes huge problems when the debris flows into the harbour,” said Ms Nkowane.
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