Pier 1 Container Terminal gets ready for May Deadline

Feb 27, 2007
Author: SAPO

SAPO, Durban, 27 February - While operations at South African Port Operations Pier 1 terminal temporarily closed in December last year, the terminal is currently a hive of activity in keeping with a R2-billion development plan to establish Pier 1 as a high performance container terminal, says SA Port Operations in a statement issued on Tuesday.

‘The drive by SAPO, a core division of Transnet is intended to create additional capacity, ensure readiness before the peak period and ultimately handle 720,000 TEU by the end of 2007.

‘The acceleration plan is in line with SAPO’s strategic objective of creating capacity before demand. This will be achieved by capacity migration which includes enhancing infrastructure, superstructure, recruitment and training.

‘When the terminal re-opens it will be in Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) mode to optimise efficiency and space utilization – a first for South African terminals.

‘Pier 1 will start up with one berth, 2 ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes and 6 RTGs. By the end of August 2007, the terminal will have 3 berths, 5 STS cranes and 12 RTGs. An additional 6 RTGs and 1 STS crane will be delivered at the end of 2007.

‘Four RTGs have already been assembled and are currently being commissioned to ensure that they are operational by the May go live deadline.

‘The RTG is an impressive 13.7metres wide (or seven lanes wide i.e. across six containers and one lane for a truck) and 26 metres high.

‘It has numerous benefits namely the driver’s cabin is extremely hi-tech featuring a computerised system that is able to detect its own faults.

‘In addition it has been designed to take into account the operator’s comfort and ergonomic consideration as it has an air conditioner and heater installed.’