Contractor announced for milestone port project

Port of East London infrastructure project signed

SOUTH AFRICA: Stefanutti Stocks was identified as the successful bidder of the request for proposals issued by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in July this year to undertake the deepening and strengthening of N Berth in the Port of East London.

On completion of the project, the berth will be able to accommodate two vessels simultaneously. Speaking at a contract signing ceremony this morning held in the river port, harbour master, Captain Pinky Zungu congratulated the procurement team on their three-month turnaround time to advertise, evaluate and award the contract.

According to Sphiwe Mthembu, port manager, 12 bidders submitted proposals for the milestone project. He noted that the project forms part of the Port of East London’s growth strategy. “We want to put the port on the map and for it to be celebrated at large around the world,” he said explaining that the strategy includes the upgrading the port entrance and increasing the turning basin.

“We want to position the port for the automotive sector,” he added, urging Stefanutti Stocks to work towards timeous delivery of the project.

Addressing delegates at the ceremony, Zanele Ntantala, port engineer, confirmed that Transnet’s dredging department would deepen the berths from 8.5 m to 10.5 m. She added that the berth would remain operational during the civil works undertaken by the contractor.

“The benefits include the ability to handle more cargo and align with the port’s development plans to respond to customer needs,” she said adding that the ultimate aim would be to attract further customers to the port based on the additional capacity.

Andrew Pirrie, contracts director for Stefanutti Stocks Coastal was on hand to sign the contract and noted the company’s successful delivery of similar projects for TNPA including civil works at Maydon Wharf in Durban.

Congratulating the team and acknowledging the stakeholders, the Executive Mayor of East London, Princess Faku emphasised the importance of investment in the port and said that, although the automotive sector would remain an integral part of the city’s development, other industries were being encouraged to invest.

According to Faku, a Chinese delegation had visited the city to investigate the opportunities for agriculture and livestock export via the port.

PHOTO: The signing ceremony. (taken from a screen grab during a LinkedIn Live Streaming session)