Saldanha is the northern-most port on South Africa’s west coast capable of taking large vessels. According to reports in the South African press this week, the Western Cape government has called a maritime summit for August in an effort to fast-track development of Saldanha as a support centre for the West African off-shore oil and gas industries.
Last month there were reports of progress in plans to develop Saldanha Bay as a bunkering port. The South African company Mandla Holdings, which is said to have secured a licence to establish bunker facilities at Saldanha three years ago, is behind the project,
Mandla Holdings now hopes to have a bunker terminal operational in 2009. In the meantime, it has been looking at the possibility of using floating storage and is said to be “well on the road” to acquiring a bunker delivery vessel.
A press report on Tuesday said an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the bunker project should be completed by the end of the year.
“While the bay is a sensitive area environmentally, the proposed use of permanent booms to contain any fuel spillage should make the plan feasible,” said one commentator.
He said not only would bunker facilities boost harbour traffic, but they would also take some pressure off Cape Town bunker suppliers.
"The port of Saldanha appears likely to play an increasingly important role in South African trade as the country's major harbours get more congested," said the commentator.
Last month there were reports of progress in plans to develop Saldanha Bay as a bunkering port. The South African company Mandla Holdings, which is said to have secured a licence to establish bunker facilities at Saldanha three years ago, is behind the project,
Mandla Holdings now hopes to have a bunker terminal operational in 2009. In the meantime, it has been looking at the possibility of using floating storage and is said to be “well on the road” to acquiring a bunker delivery vessel.
A press report on Tuesday said an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the bunker project should be completed by the end of the year.
“While the bay is a sensitive area environmentally, the proposed use of permanent booms to contain any fuel spillage should make the plan feasible,” said one commentator.
He said not only would bunker facilities boost harbour traffic, but they would also take some pressure off Cape Town bunker suppliers.
"The port of Saldanha appears likely to play an increasingly important role in South African trade as the country's major harbours get more congested," said the commentator.