Comment on port plans by 31 August

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Interested parties have only until 31 August to comment on Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Port Development Framework Plans.

The plans, available on the the TNPA website (www.transnetnationalportsauthority.net) under the link: Infrastructure and Port Planning, The National Ports Plan 2019 Update, detail future planning to expand the port to enable economic growth.

Positioning
The Port of Mossel Bay is positioning itself as the gateway to the Garden Route and providing improved facilities for cruise liners and ensuring a good port and city integration.

This will be complemented by a waterfront development on the western side of the port, however, outside the operational area of the port.

The port will also rehabilitate its rail infrastructure to tap into the flow of cargo through the Garden Route and into the hinterland.

Expand
The Port of Mossel Bay plans to expand its infrastructure to be the premier port for the Southern Cape to support oil and gas exploration and to maximize the benefit of its geographical position. The improved infrastructure will enable oil and gas companies to use the Port of Mossel Bay as a logistics base for all oil and gas activities during exploration and extraction. The port’s footprint will be increased by incorporating the adjacent Transnet Property into the Port.

The port will expand the utilisation of the Catenary Buoy Mooring (CBM) and single-point mooring (SPM) for the import and export for petroleum products as well as liquefied petroleum gas. It will continue to support the local fishing industry by ensuring available land within port limits is maximised for this industry.

Planning
The Strategic Port Development Plan also details changes envisioned for the long-term layout, such as the infill between Quay 4 and Quay 5 to provide additional quay length to accommodate an additional vessel, and the extension of the breakwater towards the north, including infill.

The existing maritime commercial at Quay 5 may be relocated to a new proposed location on the northern side of the port. An additional breakwater is planned next to the new proposed marina, and, most interestingly for the long term it is planned to reclaim land next to Quay 4 to provide for additional storage and quay length.