Transnet Ports announces R9.65bn in infrastructure projects at Saldanha

The Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) on Monday announced R9.65bn in infrastructure projects at Saldanha Bay‚ which will enhance its ability to service the offshore oil and gas industry.

For the first time the TNPA will be inviting private sector participation in the projects which will include the construction of a new rig repair quay to service modern rigs requiring extra depth. The quay will be able to accommodate two rigs at a time.

In addition the Mossgas quay will be lengthened to accommodate floating docks which will enable the industry to build new service vessels to support the offshore oil and gas industry.

Finally an offshore supply base will be constructed to serve as a one stop shop to supply oil rigs with their basic requirements such as food and materials‚ and waste collection.

Port manager Willem Roux stressed the importance of the TNPA seizing the opportunity to service the oil rigs on the west and east coast of Africa.

He told a media conference that about 120 oil rigs passed the South African coastline annually.

“We know that if we do not use this opportunity now to capture this market then other ports in the southern hemisphere will gear themselves to capture the market‚” Mr Roux said.

The projects will be fast-tracked in line with the objectives of Operation Phakisa announced by President Jacob Zuma last year to unlock infrastructural bottlenecks to economic growth.

Mr Roux said TNPA hoped to have a successful private sector bidding process for the projects - possibly on a build‚ own‚ operate and transfer basis - which would be completed by September‚ and for the three projects to be commissioned by December 2017.

“It is anticipated that fleet rig and support vessel owners will be potential bidders.”

Mr Roux emphasised that TNPA would be closely involved in the design‚ location and planning of the projects which are expected to create 6‚300 new direct jobs and 25‚200 new indirect jobs.

The Saldanha Bay industrial development zone was designated in 2013‚ and dedicated to servicing the oil and gas industry. It has already attracted a lot of interest but business development executive Laura Peinke said its growth would be constrained if the port of Saldanha was not able to accommodate modern oil rigs with a deep draft. This it was not able to do at present and such rigs were being serviced in the middle of the bay from a barge‚ she said.