The R4 billion project to widen and deepen the Port of Durban entrance channel is just about complete, apart from a few finishing touches. Transnet Projects held a roadshow to ‘show off’ what has been done during which the dredger Pallieter and two harbour tugs provided a ‘water ballet’ for visiting dignitaries that helped emphasise the new widened entrance channel.
The Port of Durban has a total land and water area amounting to 1 854 hectares.The port is protected by the north and south breakwaters which are 335 m and 700 m long respectively. The water surface is 892 hectares at high tide and 679 hectares at low tide. The distance around the port is 21 km.Rail tracks total 302 km and it is one of the few cities in the world where the harbour is a mere block from the Central Business District. The port has 57 berths and over 4000 commercial vessels call at the port each year.It was developed primarily for import cargo but over the years cargo flows have changed significantly and exports have become more important.
Source:ports,March 9,2010;Image:trevor C.Ph,March 2,2010
