Makeover for Maydon

Construction is due to commence shortly on converting part of the Port of Durban’s Maydon Wharf berths 9 – 12 for container handling.

Ports&Shipping reports that the first stage of the conversion of the former breakbulk area will redevelop the quay wall alongside berth 12, the first berth round the corner facing the channel that leads to Durban’s dry dock and ship repair yards. The 275 m long berth 12 is one of the shallowest berths in the harbour, with a maximum alongside depth of only 5.1 m and in recent years it has been used as little more than a lay-by facility, mostly for visiting fishing vessels.

Once the quay has been redeveloped and the bay dredged alongside, it is intended that fairly large container ships will be able to make use of this facility. In contrast, the 190 m long berth 11 which is around the 90 degree corner has a depth alongside 10.2 m and is increasingly being used by self-geared container ships. The next two berths, 9 and 10 have maximum alongside depths of 9.6 and 8.3 m and lengths of 172 and 180 m respectively.

Dredging the channels facing berths on Piers 1 and 2 – which house the port’s two main container terminals – is to be followed by the laying of a stone ballast bed with a width of approximately 30 m which is designed to help reduce the effect of prop wash from vessels and tugs. The actual berths themselves have all been dredged to their chart datum depths.

Maersk, MSC and MOL are each pushing to bring in container ships with a draught in excess of 12.8 m, according to port manager Ricky Bhikraj, who said that in the last few weeks MSC had sought permission for one of its vessels with a draught of 13.5 m. The request had to be turned down, highlighting once more the urgent need for the development of deep water berths in the harbour.
(Source:www.container-mag.com)