Gqeberha: The Port of Ngqura, also known as Coega Harbour, is on a promising trajectory to position itself among Africa’s top ports. Situated at the mouth of the Coega River, approximately 20km north-east of Gqeberha in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, it is South Africa’s newest and deepest container port, offering a world-class transhipment hub.
According to South African Government News Agency, the port, under the leadership of Managing Executive: Eastern Cape Terminals, Wandisa Vazi, has been undergoing significant changes to enhance its operations. Vazi highlighted the efforts made to attract business and clients, noting that the port is currently ranked third behind Durban in terms of efficiency. The ongoing revamp, which could span 15 years, aims to refurbish aging machinery, some of which date back 64 years.
The Port of Ngqura is uniquely equipped with two breakwaters and is the only port in South Africa with environmental authorisation for its construction and operation. Its design, influenced by the paleochannel and Jahleel Island, provides a deepwater facility without extensive dredging. Additionally, it is the world’s first port to implement a fixed jet pump sand bypass system, maintaining the natural sand drift along the coast.
A significant development at the port will be the construction of a manganese loading facility by Transnet National Ports Authority. This project will shift operations from the Port of Port Elizabeth, increasing capacity from 5.5 to 16 million tonnes annually, positioning Ngqura as a leading manganese ore exporter globally.
The Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) is designed as a cutting-edge transhipment hub, serving major markets in the Far East, South America, and East and West Africa. Recently, the port successfully berthed one of the largest container vessels, MSC Nicola Mastro, on its maiden voyage, showcasing South Africa’s advanced marine infrastructure capabilities. This feat was achieved through a four-tug operation, demonstrating the port’s capacity to handle large vessels efficiently.
With a 16-metre draft, four berths, eight ship-to-shore cranes, and a transhipment capacity of 1.5 million TEUs, the Port of Ngqura is strategically positioned to enhance its role in the global maritime industry.