Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) signed a contract with Liebherr Werk Nenzing for the purchase of six mobile harbour cranes. The cranes are part of TPT’s Durban roro and Maydon Wharf Terminal’s R438.3 million investment in container-handling capacity.
The agreement covers design, fabrication, delivery, erection, testing and commissioning of the cranes.
The terminal, which mainly handles bulk, agri-bulk and roll-on roll-off cargo, has experienced a steady increase in container volumes. These containers are currently handled using vessel-mounted cranes and yard trucks such as reach stackers, TPT CE Karl Socikwa said.
“During the course of the current financial year, we have bought seven tandem lift ship-to shore cranes which will be delivered at the Durban Container Terminal’s Pier 2 late in 2012,” said Socikwa. “These are the largest of their kind deployed at any container terminal in the southern hemisphere.”
TPT recently took delivery of two cranes which are currently being assembled at the Ngqura Container Terminal, adding to the terminal’s existing fleet of six mega-max ship-to-shore cranes.
In total, TPT has bought 15 cranes for container-handling at its terminals in the past nine months as part of Transnet’s accelerated fleet renewal programme.
“Over and above the business impact, the contract for the six mobile cranes will contribute to the Department of Public Enterprises’ Supplier Development Programme (CSDP). In the contract, we have committed with Liebherr to implement local supplier development initiatives for a period of five years to ensure that in future South African companies will have the competence and expertise to manufacture component parts as well as fully assembled cranes and other specialised maritime equipment,” Socikwa said.
CSDP initiatives agreed upon are the transfer of know-how on the manufacture of capital spares to local companies, job creation and job preservation, skills transfer in respect of the new jobs created directly as a result of this contract and localisation initiatives, including the use of local suppliers in Liebherr’s supply chain. Feasibility studies will be undertaken to assess the suitability of local suppliers for the manufacture of capital spares and components.
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World Maritime News Staff, January 20, 2012