The last of the 26 mooring units comprising the Port of Ngqura’s automated mooring system (AMS) have arrived at the port and are expected to improve port efficiency and safety, further driving the Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA’s) objective of establishing the port as a leading transshipment hub for the sub-Saharan Africa region.

“Procured from global engineering group Cavotec the mooring units were designed, custom manufactured and installed to meet the specific environmental conditions of the Port of Ngqura.

“They will complement manual berthing teams at the port by stabilising container vessels on the quayside at the click of a button, reducing docking and undocking times from between 10 and 40 minutes to less than ten seconds,” TNPA CEO Richard Vallihu explained.

The AMS technology used remote-controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside, to moor and release vessels in seconds, increasing productivity.

Ngqura port engineer Gerrit du Plessis added that a unique capability of the AMS was that the vessel would be kept almost static while alongside the quay with minimal movements of up to 50 mm only.

This was made possible by the unique design of the pneumatic AMS units that could move both vertically and horizontally owing to wind and wave actions and also “walk” up and down the vessel to accommodate tidal variations.

Vallihu noted that TNPA would be “leading the pack” in the African maritime industry by acquiring this technology.

According to port manager Mpumi Dweba, Ngqura experienced significant long wave effects and strong winds, particularly in the winter months, which frequently caused berthed vessels to move excessively, impacting on cargo operations, safety and the port’s efficiency.

“This unique vacuum-based automated mooring technology is used in a few ports internationally, but will be the first in the South African port system, proving that the Port of Ngqura is the leader in deploying new technologies to improve port operations and the safety of vessels,” she commented.

Technicians from Cavotec had been on site since November, assembling and testing units at Berth D100 – one of four berths at the Ngqura container terminal that would be equipped with the technology.

Dweba said the pilot berth was selected because it was most severely affected by weather conditions.

“We certainly look forward to fewer interruptions in the loading and unloading of ships, which we know will yield significant improvements in our operational efficiency and our ability to better serve clients,” she outlined.

As part of the contract, Cavotec would upskill local mechanical and electrical companies to enable them to provide ongoing technical support, maintenance and repairs to the port.

Ngqura maintenance staff had also received specialised training, while operational training would take place after the units has all been installed by the end of August.

The system would, thereafter, be rolled out to three additional berths at the Ngqura container terminal.