Freight logistics company Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has been granted a permanent operating licence by Cabinet for the manganese terminal at the Port of Ngqura to develop a bulk minerals terminal estimated at R8-billion.

The licence having been granted last month, Transnet expects to handle its first vessel in February 2019 from the new bulk terminal.

“It’s all systems go for us to relocate our Port Elizabeth manganese operation by the 2018/19 deadline. We will operate the existing two deep-water dry bulk berths, C100 and C101, at the Port of Ngqura while the full expansion project ramps up to meet an anticipated throughput demand of 16-million tons a year by 2020, and thereafter to 22-million tons a year, if required,” says TPT CE Karl Socikwa.

Moreover, TPT has invested additional capital in minor refurbishment of the total plant at the Port Elizabeth terminal to sustain the current plant capacity until the anticipated Ngqura Manganese Export Terminal start-up.

To start up the expansion of the new terminal, Transnet began to shut down the current terminal on August 11, which coincided with the Transnet Freight Rail and manganese industry shutdowns.

Socikwa notes that an innovative plan to minimise the disruption of manganese exports during the relocation has been devised and shared with its mining clients.

“This includes directing some of the ore through Saldanha and Durban and containerising it, among other things. Our commitment to excellence will be evident in the operation of the new, modern terminal in Ngqura,” he points out.

Socikwa further mentions that, with the company having operated the Port of Ngqura’s container terminal since its inception, along with the many other projects that have been a success, Cabinet has confidence that Transnet will successfully operate the new terminal.

“The granting of the licence, issued in terms of Section 79(1) of the Ports Act, not only recognises Transnet’s more-than-50-years operation in Port Elizabeth, but also endorses us as an efficient and experienced bulk minerals terminal operator. It will also ensure a smooth relocation of the operation and continued execution of Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy and government’s Operation Phakisa,” Socikwa adds.

Job opportunities resulting from the construction of the terminal have been identified as has the need for various new terminal operation positions, owing to the threefold increase in volumes.

Terminal infrastructure at the port will comprise new bulk materials handling equipment, including stockyard, stackers, reclaimers and surge bins; roads; infrastructure services and buildings; as well as a train marshalling yard with an unloading system, or tippler.

Engineering designs for the Ngqura Manganese Export Terminal project are expected to be completed by November. Thereafter, the project will progress to construction, which is expected to be completed around the end of 2018.