Oct 8, 2012 – Johannesburg — A strike by truck drivers is set to spread to rail and port workers this week, the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) said.
source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201210080134.html
The Port of Saldanha Bay was purpose built for iron ore exports in the early 1970s, however the port has significantly diversified its commodity base over the last three decades.
Additional liquid bulk and general cargo quay facilities have been provided to handle the following commodities: crude oil, steel coils, granite, and concentrates.
Saldanha Bay is a natural deepwater port and has a permissable alongside draft of 21.5 metres. Throughput volumes for 2005/6 include 28.4 million tonnes of iron ore handled at the dry bulk terminal, 6.1 million tonnes of crude oil from the liquid bulk terminal, and a further 2.2 million tonnes of general cargo.
The iron ore export facilities in the port are currently being upgraded to handle up to 39 million tonnes per annum, and the work is estimated to be completed this year. Also envisaged are further upgrades to increase the capacity of the existing facilities to a port total of 45 mtpa export by 2008.
New infrastructure to further increase the handling capacity over the next five years is currently at feasibility stage analysis.
The offshore oil and gas initiative in the Western Cape region has got off to a flying start with the commencement of site establishment facilities at the 22 hectare Mossgas site in Saldanha.
The operator aims to have the facilities in place by August 2007 after which it will actively pursue fabrication work within the oil and gas arena.
The facility is targeted to serve this developing industry in South Africa by fabrication of components for offshore structures. Already under construction are roadways, high shot-blast sheds, and secure storage areas.
http://www.arabiansupplychain.com/article-1064-top-10-africa-ports/10/
