TO reduce shipping delays caused by adverse weather conditions, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has procured 52 hydraulic tension mooring units for its South African ports from Shore Tension BV.
A hydraulic tension mooring unit is placed on the quayside to mitigate the severity of long-wave effects on vessels. The units assist with stabilising docked vessels during strong winds, adverse weather conditions, and high swells. TNPA currently has six units – four at the Port of Cape Town and two at the Port of Ngqura.
“The supply of additional units marks TNPA’s commitment to make key investments in port infrastructure. This is a timeous intervention to improve vessel turnaround time, which is already well-received by our customers at the ports of Cape Town and Ngqura,” said TNPA project manager, Takatso Maputle.
The acquisition of an additional 52 units will be allocated to ports facing surge motions higher than 3m. The allocation includes 16 units for the Port of Cape Town, 14 for the Port of Durban, eight for the Port of Port Elizabeth, six for the Port of Ngqura, four for the Port of Saldanha and four for the Port of Richards Bay.
Attesting to the positive impact of the line tensioner mooring units presently in use in Cape Town and Ngqura, Chief executive officer of the South African Association of Ship Owners and Agents (SAASOA), Peter Besnard said: “SAASOA is delighted to learn that TNPA has heeded to the call of the shipping industry to provide more hydraulic line tensioner mooring units. Thus far our members are complimentary of the results and benefits derived from the existing units and have been calling for more to be procured. This is definitely a step in the right direction as these units certainly make a difference in reducing shipping delays and ensuring safe vessel working and operations at the ports.”
The first batch of four units is expected to arrive on South African shores in October 2023 and will be split evenly to the ports of Ngqura and Cape Town. The delivery of the rest of the units will be staggered until early 2025.
This initiative plays a significant role in the skills development of Transnet employees. Through the skills transfer by Shore Tension B.V., the units will be operated by TNPA marine shorehands and Transnet Engineering teams will carry out maintenance.