By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A new giant Ship-to-Shore (STS) crane was unveiled in the Port of Port Elizabeth on Monday in line with efforts to breathe new life into SA’s struggling harbour operations.
The R240m crane will be used to accelerate loading and offloading at the port’s container terminal which has been at the centre of long-standing accusations of delay and inefficiency.
During Monday’s unveiling, the minister of Transport Barbara Creecy was flanked by the province’s premier, Oscar Mabuyane, the MEC for transport, Xolile Nqatha, NMB mayor Babalwa Lobishe, and the leadership of Transnet.
Creecy said the new crane was designed to improve productivity. It can move about 30 containers per hour and withstand wind speeds of 90km per hour.
“We believe that investment in critical equipment is crucial to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness. Such investments catalyse a more efficient, competitive and resilient environment in an increasingly interconnected global economy. Transnet’s efficiency is the cornerstone of South Africa’s stability and economic growth,” Creecy said.
She added that Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) invested R3,4 billion in the previous financial year to improve infrastructure across its terminals, including Durban, Richards Bay, East London, Cape Town, Gqeberha, and Saldanha Bay.
In the future, TPT is expected to spend an average of about R4 billion per financial year on overhauling equipment as part of its bold five-year investment plan.
“The purchase of new equipment has also been tied to a new long-term contracting model with original equipment manufacturers (OEMS), and original parts suppliers. Long-term collaboration with OEMs will drive significant benefits for Transnet.
“These include enhanced equipment performance and reliability, spares support, asset life cycle management, innovation, as well as equipment, spares, and component standardization,” Creecy said.
Transnet Chairperson, Dr Andile Sangqu said: “The arrival of the Ship-to-Shore crane represents far more than just a logistical milestone; it symbolises Transnet’s unwavering commitment to efficiency and reliability.
Investments in critical equipment are central to Transnet’s drive to overcome operational hurdles, improve efficiency and fulfil its crucial role in South Africa’s logistics ecosystem.”