Construction has officially started on the Ngqura Liquid Bulk Terminal in Port Elizabeth.

The project, which is being spearheaded by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and Oiltanking Grindrod Calulo, will see the construction of a new liquid bulk tank farm at the Port of Ngqura.

The facility is expected to pave the way for a new petroleum trading hub in Southern Africa following the planned decommissioning and rehabilitation of the existing liquid bulk facilities at the neighbouring Port of Port Elizabeth.

Supporting the local shipping industry

Tandi Lebakeng, Port Manager of the Port of Ngqura, welcomed the start of construction. “As the port landlord, TNPA is providing port infrastructure for the liquid bulk terminal to commence operations at the end of 2020. The new tank farm will develop the Port of Ngqura’s liquid bulk capacity for commodities such as petroleum, diesel, jet fuel, illuminated paraffin and liquid petroleum gas.

Lebakeng explained that once operational, the terminal will facilitate substantially increased throughputs over present volumes handled at Port Elizabeth due to Ngqura’s deeper draught which allows it to handle much larger vessels.

“The allocated 20 Ha site also provides ample space for future expansion of the terminal,” she added.

Liquid bulk products will be transported to the Port of Ngqura via ship and piped to the tank farm prior to local supply and/or local and global re-export. The new modern facility will service the oil majors, new entrants into the South African oil industry as well as international traders – all supporting the local shipping industry.

Contractors to be appointed

To date the contract for Bulk Earthworks has been awarded and this activity will begin immediately. Civil, mechanical and electrical contractors will be appointed shortly and they will be employing from within the community and developing skills within the construction industry.

“The terminal will be built to the highest international safety standards and provide exceptional service to its customers, OTGC looks forward to becoming a contributing member of the Nelson Mandela Bay community and expects to continue on its growth path in the years ahead,” noted Mkhuseli Faku, Chairman of OTGC, which was awarded the concession to develop a liquid bulk storage and handling facility in the Port of Ngqura.