Leased equipment assists exports from Richards Bay

THE Richards Bay Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) has taken delivery of new cargo handling equipment, aiding the loading of export coal, magnetite, chrome and pig iron aboard calling Cape-sized vessels.

The leasing of the 75 dumpers and 35 payloaders will be for 12 months, and is the terminal’s temporary measure after an unsuccessful bidder challenged the awarding of a new contract in court last year.

Before the arrival of this equipment, the terminal had made use of customer-supplied equipment and resources as part of collaborative efforts to ensure continuity amid the challenges of the previously outsourced service. Managing executive at Richards Bay Terminals, Thula Dlamini, said: “We have experienced true collaboration between ourselves and our customers over the past 15 months where we all put the economy before our challenges”. He added that over six million tons of coal that would have otherwise not left South Africa due to rail challenges, was exported through both the customer–supplied equipment and the dedication of employees at the terminal.

The equipment boasts modern technology and as a result, the terminal started training and certifying its over 200 drivers. The terminal is also supplying its own diesel-hosed tanks which are consistently replenished. “It is our intention to improve our service to our valued customers, reduce vessel turnaround times and ramp-up volumes,” said Dlamini.