Ngqura already reaching out to transhipment

Although the NCT facility is as yet not a large operation, there is plenty of room for growth, and plans for a 100m extension will mean the facility will be able to handle two 305m vessels simultaneously. Work is scheduled for completion by July 2011.

Ngqura port was originally developed to handle bulk only, as an alternative to nearby Port Elizabeth which lies only 20km away. However, the development of the NCT means it is now in definite competition with its neighbour, and there are further projects on the horizon which will mean even more contest for the crown.

For example, there is the possibility of dredging works and the introduction of two additional berths. This would increase capacity from the existing 800,000 teu to 2m teu and make the terminal a four-berth facility. However, the operator said moves on this would be dictated by port landlord Transnet National Ports Authority.

Nosipho Damasane, chief operting officer of operator Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), said, “Year to date figures show 259 vessels handled since October 2009 with an average of 1,100 teu each.” Based on this, projections put handling at 409,659 teu by the end of the financial year.

He added: “NCT has handled a total of 288,812 teu from October 2009 to October 2010, of which 61% was transhipment cargo brought into South Africa for transfer to other vessels and ports.” This last point is interesting because placing itself as “the first Southern Africa transhipment hub” is one of the operator’s key strategies as a means of growing the port and its surrounding economy, bringing additional trade to the region.