en.Wedoany.com Reported - Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) plans to issue a tender for a private floating dock project in Cape Town to address a surge in demand for ship repair services, with some facility bookings already extending to the end of next year.
Ophelia Shabane, Acting Port Manager of the Port of Cape Town, stated at the annual Maritime Economy Conference that the ship repair industry is being re-evaluated and is seen as a key driver of economic growth. South Africa's ship repair capacity is distributed across multiple ports, including Durban, East London, Gqeberha, Mossel Bay, and Cape Town, supporting a range of activities from ship maintenance and marine manufacturing to fisheries and offshore services.
Cape Town is a critical hub, home to the Sturrock Dry Dock, one of the largest and deepest dry docks in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as facilities supporting rig repairs. The facility is also used for diamond mining vessel repairs and supports significant employment. Shabane noted that at any given time, over 3,000 people are employed in ship repair projects. The Robinson Dry Dock and syncrolift are particularly important for the fishing industry, with over 60% of South Africa's fish catch passing through the port.
TNPA is advancing dry dock infrastructure upgrade projects, including replacing caisson gates and winches for the Sturrock and Robinson dry docks, along with other renovations aimed at improving operational efficiency and maintaining international standards.
To meet growing demand, TNPA plans to issue a tender seeking a private partner to build and operate a floating dock in Cape Town. Shabane stated that this initiative aims to provide opportunities for private sector participation, alleviate pressure on existing facilities, and ensure that business remains in South Africa rather than moving to neighboring countries.
TNPA is benchmarking its performance against leading international ship repair facilities, where an occupancy rate of around 80% is considered best practice. Over the past five years, the occupancy rate of Cape Town's ship repair facilities has significantly improved, rising from below 50% to between 70% and 75% recently. Shabane noted that the industry is strengthening, and collaboration between Transnet and the private sector has had a positive impact.
Shabane pointed out that the business has undergone a major turnaround over the past three years, having previously incurred losses due to equipment failures and infrastructure challenges, but investments and improved facility availability have reversed the trend. In the last fiscal year, TNPA serviced 190 vessels, exceeding the target of 185, and handled a total tonnage 24% above budget.
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