Planned rehabilitation of ship repair facilities
Mossel Bay slipway capacity will increase
SOUTH AFRICA: The Port of Mossel Bay’s slipway and cradle capacity will benefit from a refurbishment project that will increase the capacity from 200 to 500 tons after the conclusion of a feasibility study to rehabilitate the facility.
The project, to be implemented in September 2024 also entails the installation of new technology, side slip, smart electrical network and a new workshop.
Despite its current capacity limitations, in the 2022/23 financial year, the port almost doubled the number of vessels serviced at its ship repair facility with 20 vessels versus an average of 13 vessels in previous years.
This is attributed to TNPA’s accelerated maintenance programme and quick turnaround time. “The increase in utilisation of the port’s ship repair facility can only be taken to greater highs by the successful implementation of the rehabilitation project. We are certain that a bigger and better facility will have immense benefits for locals and key industry role players,” said TNPA’s Port Manager for the Port of Mossel Bay, Dr Dineo Mazibuko.
Beyond its critical function in preserving maritime assets, the Port of Mossel Bay’s ship repair facility serves as a contributor to job creation and economic growth of the Garden Route District.
Detailed designs will be reviewed by the end of this month and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be conducted prior to project commencement in compliance with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
Whilst the facility will be out of commission during project implementation, industry role players can look forward to even more improved services once it is commissioned.
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