TRANSNET National Ports Authority has received the first batch of four hydraulic tension mooring units which have been commissioned at the ports of Cape Town and Ngqura. The delivery is part of 52 units procured by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in September last year.
The mooring units will improve operational efficiencies at the ports and reduce shipping delays caused by inclement weather conditions, according to TNPA. The port landlord currently has six units – four at the Port of Cape Town and two at the Port of Ngqura.
A hydraulic tension mooring unit is a system that is placed on the quayside to ensure the safety of vessels alongside and mitigate the severity of long-wave effects on vessels. The units assist with stabilising vessels during strong winds, adverse weather conditions and high swells. The benefits also include minimised downtime and safety during operations.
“This marks the first of a series of major port equipment deliveries at our commercial seaports this year. We continue to make progress in fast-tracking the implementation of key investments in port infrastructure to improve operational efficiencies and provide quality service to the maritime industry,” said Thecla Mneney, TNPA general manager for infrastructure.
The new mooring units increase TNPA’s capacity to prevent excessive surge motions of vessels alongside the quay, bringing the total number of units to six at the Port of Cape Town and four at the Port of Ngqura.
TNPA has procured 52 shore tension units with an allocation of 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. The phased delivery of the rest of the units will be completed by early 2025.
TNPA said in September that the 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.
