Transnet commences dredging to 18 metres at Durban

SOUTH AFRICA's Transnet has started to dredge berths at the Port of Durban to accommodate larger vessels, which the company says are becoming increasingly popular.

The news comes on the completion of a ZAR3 billion (US$405 million) project to widen the entrance to the Durban Harbour from 130 metres to 225 metres and dredge to 18 metres.

Transnet indicated that 9,200-TEU vessels would now be able to access the port but a Creamer Media's Engineering News report said further dredging would have to be done first.

So far, only feasibility studies have been conducted for berth and basin dredging, with no specific budget released as of yet.

The group says it plans to spend up to ZAR93.4 billion across its various business units, which also includes pipelines and railways, between now and 2015.

Source: www.schednet.com