Rolling out this system is a key milestone in equipping the terminal with capacity to efficiently handle diverted containers during berth rehabilitation at the busy Durban Container Terminal: Pier 2 (DCT).
Berths on DCT’s North Quay are scheduled to undergo deepening and refurbishment over a 74 month period. TPT will divert up to 400 000 TEUs of container traffic per annum from DCT to the Durban RORO and Maydon Wharf Terminal.
Zeph Ndlovu, Terminal Executive, Durban RORO and Maydon Wharf Terminal, said: “Our terminal handles mainly break-bulk and RORO cargo (roll-on roll-off or wheeled cargo, such as cars and containers). However TPT has put considerable effort into ensuring that it can deal with the container demand while phased repairs of berths take place at DCT.”
Navis will be rolled out at the RORO facility on 1 April 2012, followed by the Maydon Wharf facility on 1 August 2012.
The RORO facility will close at 18h00 on 1 April. System checks will take place, followed by simulation testing and the conversion from the old GCOS operating system to Navis.
The first vessel, the Cape Moss owned by shipping line Nile Dutch, will then be worked from 06h00 on 2 April with the aid of Navis, followed by Messina’s Jolly Rosso vessel and MACS Shipping’s Black Rhino.
TPT has implemented a six-point plan to ensure operational readiness and uninterrupted service delivery to customers