Sustainability Report 2012 - Transnet

Economic dividends (continued)Upgrade to Durban Container Terminal – Pier 2 and Pier 1In an effort to boost efficiency and productivity at South Africa’s leading container terminal, Transnetsigned an agreement in September 2011 with China-based Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co forthe purchase of seven tandem lift ship-to-shore (STS) cranes for Durban Container Terminal (DCT)Pier 2. This formed part of targeted interventions to renew Transnet’s fleet of ageing port handlingequipment across all container terminals. The cranes are expected to be delivered by December 2012.Pier 2 is known for its poor efficiency and productivity levels, achieving an average of only 21 GCH(target of 26 GCH) in 2011/12 mainly due to poor port infrastructure. The procurement of the STScranes will address the terminal’s performance, making Pier 2 the first terminal in Africa to operatetandem lift STS cranes. Efficiency is expected to improve to 28 GCH with the introduction of the newcranes. The tandem lift capability of the cranes which can simultaneously handle two 12m containers orfour 6m containers within hoisting capability of 80 tons, is a significant step towards making Pier 2 aglobally competitive terminal. The purchase of the cranes is in addition to the implementation of aTerminal Operating System, NAVIS Sparcs N4. In the past year, Port Terminals has rolled out the systemto all container terminals. The system offers improved planning, reduced turnaround times and reducedoperating costs by coordinating equipment, vessel stow plans, crane schedules and container moves.Technical issues relating to the implementation of the system impacted further on Pier 2’s poorefficiency and productivity levels. An improvement in GCH at Pier 2 was achieved in the last quarter of2011/12 reaching 22 GCH, with the NAVIS system operating optimally after the initial teethingproblems were resolved.In comparison to Pier 2, Pier 1 has state-of-the-art equipment and achieved an impressive 27GCHduring 2011/12. Upgrades to berths 2, 5 and 10 at Pier 1 also commenced. These were focused on thedeepening and widening of the berths to allow for larger vessels. A highlight of the year was thecommencement of the feasibility study to deepen the north quay to 14,5m and 350m long toaccommodate three vessels simultaneously while at the same time focusing on providing the necessaryprotection to the quay walls.Looking ahead, Port Terminals is expanding Pier 1’s capacity to 2,0 million TEUs by 2018/19 up from thecurrent 700 000 TEUs while Pier 2’s capacity will be expanded to 3,3 million TEUs by 2018/19 up fromthe current 2,1 million TEUs.Port of Durban34