Capital Expenditure Roll Out at SAPO Terminals Nationally

Sep 6, 2006
Author: Lunga Ngcobo, SA Port Operations

Plans by South African Port Operations to upgrade efficiency levels in line with world standards are gaining momentum as terminals at SAPO’s six commercial ports take ownership of new equipment from the R1.8 billion capital expenditure plan aimed at enhancing operations.

SAPO, a core operating division of Transnet manages 14 terminals at six commercial ports at Richards Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Cape Town and Saldanha.

The drive by SAPO is intended to make its major ports keen competitors in the global market with R11 billion being set aside for the next five years' upgrading operations.

Hamilton Nxumalo GM: Equipment, Engineering and Asset Management said: “SAPO has a capital expenditure plan of R1.8 billion for this year to drive optimal efficiencies at the various terminals in the six ports around the country.

“SAPO is determined to improve operational performance, service to customers and lower the cost of doing business.

“We are aggressively implementing our capital expenditure plan to create capacity to meet and exceed demand.”

The arrival of a mobile crane in Richards Bay dry bulk terminal last week is set to impact on operations as the terminal embarks on an R800 million expansion and refurbishment programme that will see operating capacity double from 14 million tons per annum to 28 million tons per annum at the Dry Bulk Terminal.

Other new equipment includes:

Cape Town

1 Cherry Picker at the Cape Town Container Terminal, which is responsible for the maintenance of equipment such as the new 1-over-3 Straddle Carriers which cannot be accommodated in the workshop

3 x 3 ton forklifts at the Cape Town MPT

3x 5 ton forklifts at the Cape Town MPT

Sweeper at the Cape Town MPT

Saldanha

4x 60 ton Tractor Haulers at Saldanha MPT

Sweeper at Saldanha MPT

4x 60t Multi-Purpose Trailers at the Saldahna MPT

Port Elizabeth

Sweeper at Port Elizabeth Container Terminal

Durban

17x 60 ton Tractor Haulers at the Durban MPT

Sweeper at Durban MPT, Sweeper at DCT

17x 60t Multi-Purpose Trailers at the Durban MPT

Richards Bay

2 Sweepers at Richards Bay DBT

10x 66ton 5th Wheel Type CVS Ferrari Haulers (ETIS) at the Richards Bay MPT

7x 66ton Skip Trailers at the Richards Bay MPT

First 2 dumpers (out of 5) which arrived on 15 August 2006

First 2 (out of 5) new pay loaders

5 (out of the 10) new haulers

14m trailers

Separation blocks - delivery 25 per week since 18 August (200 on order)