The Port of Richards Bay has set a new milestone, handling 30 million tonnes of freight in the past financial year, surpassing its 27 million-tonne target for the bulk and multi-purpose terminals.
Thula Dlamini, Managing Executive for Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) at Richards Bay, expressed pride in the achievement, crediting the team’s dedication and hard work. “We are very excited about this accomplishment. The team has worked harder, smarter, and more efficiently.
This milestone validates all our efforts,” Dlamini said in an interview with Freight News.
The terminal has faced numerous challenges over the years, especially concerning its capacity to handle increasing cargo volumes.
Originally designed to handle 23 million tonnes annually, Richards Bay had previously peaked at 28 million tonnes, but concerns over capacity and efficiency have lingered.
“I believe we’ve turned a corner,” Dlamini said. “Our goal now is to consistently exceed the 30 million tonnes mark.
We’re always looking for ways to improve and enhance efficiency. The challenges we’ve faced have made us stronger and more resilient.”
To further boost capacity, TPT has initiated plans to relocate coal operations to a back-of-port area, freeing up critical space within the terminal.
“This will allow us to transport coal via conveyor belts and make room for new commodities,” Dlamini explained.
The project is currently in the Request for Information (RFI) phase, with TPT aiming to finalize it within six to eight months before construction begins.
Looking to the future, the Port of Richards Bay is focusing on cleaner commodities, with lithium topping the list.
“Lithium is a key focus, with three mines currently operating in South Africa. The port is well-positioned to support the growing lithium industry, and we are exploring other new-age commodities in high demand,” Dlamini said.
Additionally, TPT is investing around R100 million to improve road infrastructure around the port. “Construction is underway, and we’re also focusing on upgrading our stormwater systems, benchmarking against other ports to ensure we are not discharging contaminated water into the ocean,” Dlamini noted.
Despite the challenges, Dlamini remains confident that the demand for strategic commodities such as chrome and magnetite will continue to rise.
“The global demand for these minerals is driving strong volumes,” he said. “The more efficient we become, the more cargo we can move.
Our record volumes in the 2024/25 financial year demonstrate TPT’s commitment to improving operations.”
