The Port of Durban

05 March, 2005

^{The Durban Harbour}

By Nevani Nair

Durban Harbour, the largest port on the continent and a major gateway to Africa. From humble beginnings approximately 150 years ago, this port has expanded to become the busiest on the African continent.

The National Ports Authority (NPA) is spearheading many development projects to ensure the port of Durban retains its status as Africa’s premier port.

Basil Ndlovu, the Port manager said, “2004 is indeed a significant year for the National Ports Authority. We have recently commemorated our 3rd anniversary, the significance being that it has formed a port of the 10th year of democracy.”

The mission of the NPA is to facilitate economic growth in South Africa by providing and sustaining port systems that are amongst the best in the world.

The Growth of the Port has been marked by successive expansion and enhancement to meet the needs of the users. To enhance the efficiency of South Africa’s Ports a new structure was formed which comprises of the NPA (National Port Authority) and SAPO (South African Port Operations) as separate entities.

This new structure is specifically designed to separate the landlord and operational functions. This will optimize the benefits and potential of public / private partnerships, while at the same time retaining state ownership of this essential part of the national infrastructure.

Core Features
The core features of the Durban Harbour from the north side of the harbour mouth round the perimeter and to the south side of its entrance are the following:

• North Pier (breakwater) – 335m
• Pump House
• Ferry System
• Kings Battery
• Granite Wharf/Terminal
• T Jetty – Ocean Terminal (Admin. Offices) & Monument to the ‘ Lady in White’- Perla Gibson who sang to departing troop ships in World War II
• North Shed – Passenger Liners depart from here and Rice & Citrus Terminal
• Small Craft Harbour – tugs, pilot boats etc. and the BAT Centre
  Gardiner Street Jetty – Café Fish and pleasure cruise depart from here.
• Yachting Basin and Promenade
• Archers Hen House
• Fishing Wharf – Fishing boats, Dive operators & small craft manufacture
• Maydon Wharf – Sugar Terminal – molasses, sugar, maize, soda ash, fertilizer and timber products stored and transferred to ships in this area.
• Prince Edward Graving Docks & Ship repair area.
• Bluff Yacht Club
• Mangroves
• Container Terminal
• Bulk Shipping Berths
• Defence Force Offices
• Old Whaling Station
• South Pier – Innes Brakwater 700m
• Control Tower on Bluff
  
  Durban continues to be set for growth in the years ahead and has forged international links, which will be to the advantage of not only the port but also the country as a whole.
  
  Click on the link to view a map of the Durban Port
  
  Some Facts about the Port
• 57 berths
• 302 km of rail tracks
• Distance round port is 21 km
• 12.8m deep
• +/- 5000 ships visit the port every year
• R100bn of containers per year
• Busiest container port in Africa
• Largest container capacity
• Busiest harbour in Africa
     
  Historic Signing of MOU

 

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