Location Durban, Kwazulu Natal | ||
 | ||
Country Republic of South Africa | ||
Port of durban marine pilot successfully steers a car carrier in rough sea conditions
The Port of Durban, commonly called Durban Harbour, is the largest and busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. It handles up to 31.4 million tons of cargo each year.
Contents
- Port of durban marine pilot successfully steers a car carrier in rough sea conditions
- Entrance to the port of durban 19 3 2013
- Port statistics
- Harbour entrance depth
- Berths
- Port operations
- Berths lengths draughts
- Storage stacking
- Terminal working hours
- Naval facilities
- References
The Port of Durban in Durban, South Africa is the fourth largest container terminal in the Southern Hemisphere, handling 2,568,124 TEU in 2012.
Entrance to the port of durban 19 3 2013
Port statistics
Harbour entrance depth
The entrance channel had a depth of 12.8 metres (42 ft) from Chart Datum, and a width of 122 metres (400 ft) between the caissons. The port has recently been widened. The harbor entrance depth is now 19 metres in the approach channel decreasing to 16 metres within the harbour. The new navigation width is 220 metres.
Berths
The maximum permissible draft listed for the berths serves as a guide for the planning of vessels. The following is a table of drafts as updated 7 June 2000. The Port Captain should be advised timeously to arrange fresh soundings. If a vessel is loaded to maximum, the Port Captain should be consulted for safety.
Port operations
Durban Car Terminal is a modern, World class facility. It opened in 1998, with a capacity of 60,000 vehicles a year. In 2004 a 100-million-Rand expansion brought the number of bays to 6,500. This included a 380m bridge linking the terminal to the quayside, improving vessel turnaround time and improving security.
Berths lengths & draughts
The terminal facilities comprise a 366-metre (1,201 ft) quay with a depth alongside of 10.9 metres (36 ft). This dedicated berth (Q/R) is able to accommodate the largest deep-sea car carriers.
Storage & stacking
The quay is backed by 8.5 hectares (21 acres) of surface storage with logistical road and rail access, vehicle inspection facilities and administrative block, with a state of the art cargo tracking system, CCTV surveillance monitoring, all surrounded by floodlit security fencing. The new three storey car park with bridge linking quayside to terminal, increases the capacity to 6 631 bays, increasing throughput capacity from 60,000 to 120,000 units a year.
Terminal working hours
Normal hours: Monday to Friday 06:00 to 14:00, 14:00 to 22:00. Dependent on ship working and exigencies of the service, the port can operate 24hrs and over weekends. The terminal is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Naval facilities
Naval Base Durban, situated on Salisbury Island, is part of the Port of Durban. Established during the Second World War, it was downgraded to a naval station in 2002. In 2012 a decision was made to renovate and expand the facilities back up to a full naval base to accommodate the South African Navy's offshore patrol flotilla. In December 2015 it was redesignated a naval base. It is the home port of three Warrior-class interim offshore patrol vessels (formerly missile-armed fast attack craft) which will be replaced by a new patrol flotilla within four to five years.