• 10 POINT SAFETY PLAN LAUNCH, TNPA, PORT OF DURBAN
• GOING THE EXTRA MILE WITH: MR. THABANI MNGOMEZULU
• ISLAND VIEW CLEAN-UP
• INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN-UP
• PORT OF DURBAN CELEBRATES ARBOR WEEK AT ZIMISELE PRIMARY SCHOOL
• BPO PARTNERSHIP (ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION)
NEWS AND EVENTS:
• INTRODUCING PUSHA MONDAYS
• MEN’S NETWORK LAUNCH
• CELEBRATING MANDELA DAY
• WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION: ALL WOMAN SHIFT
• RELAUNCHING GOAL ALIGNMENT IN THE PORT OF DURBAN
• MARINE SERVIES GRADUATION CEREMONY
• WORLD MARITIME DAY CAREER EXPO
• INTER OPERATING DIVISION SPORT DAY
• TOYOTA NEW SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT VISIT AND ENGAGEMENTS WITH PORT
MESSAGE FROM THE PORT MANAGER
Dear Colleagues,
As we reflect on the year-to-date performance of the Port of Durban, I want to take a moment to acknowledge both our challenges and our achievements. While our revenue is currently below target, particularly in the Cargo dues, Marine, and Real Estate sectors, we are making significant strides in various areas.
consistent volume levels. However, we must address the double-digit decline in the Automotive sector and work collaboratively to turn this around.
The container sector has shown resilience, achieving positive results for three consecutive months. However, we must remain vigilant as adverse weather conditions and equipment breakdowns have impacted our productivity. I want to assure you that recovery plans are in motion, and your continued dedication is vital during this period.
I am pleased to report that the Dry Bulk sector has demonstrated remarkable improvement, especially in rice imports and manganese ore exports, which have exceeded our budget expectations. The Liquid Bulk sector also outperformed its targets this month, driven by increased refined petroleum imports in anticipation of rising demand.
Despite the setbacks we face, the Break Bulk sector remains strong, maintaining
I want to highlight our ongoing projects that are crucial for enhancing our operations. The KZN Floods project, firefighting infrastructure upgrades, and the acquisition of new equipment are just a few initiatives aimed at improving our performance and safety standards.
Our decongestion meetings and equipment refurbishment efforts are key to boosting our operational efficiency. I encourage each of you to remain engaged and proactive in these initiatives. Your hard work and commitment are essential as we navigate these challenges together.
Lastly, I want to remind everyone about the importance of safety and compliance as we undertake various upgrades and projects. We are committed to fostering a safe working environment, and your cooperation is crucial in achieving this goal.
Thank you for your continued dedication and resilience. Together, we can overcome our challenges and drive the Port of Durban towards a successful future.
TNPA Acting Port Manager Port of Durban
TUG CHRISTENING CEREMONY THE GROUNDBREAKER
TNPA recently held a christening ceremony at the Port of Durban to officially launch and name the latest investment of five tugboats into the port’s marine fleet. This investment is part of TNPA’s Marine Fleet Renewal Programme, which focuses on acquiring marine assets to strengthen shipping operations at the ports.
The investment in the marine fleet is a key part of Transnet’s efforts to revitalize South Africa’s ports, support economic growth, and improve shipping efficiencies at the Port of Durban. In total, seven tugs have been acquired, with two of them recently launched in the Port of East London. These tugs were unveiled at a launch, naming, and christening ceremony in the Port of East London in September 2024.
As the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa, the additional fleet will enable the Port of Durban’s readiness to respond with on-demand craft in the safe navigation of vessels within the port.
With a bollard pull of 60 tonnes, the tugs delivered by Damen Shipyards Cape Town feature the latest hull
design and propulsion system consisting of diesel engines fitted with Azimuth Stern Drive. These comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III environmental standards. This makes the tugs fully capable of handling larger vessels that call at South Africa’s premier container port.
This brings TNPA’s tugboat complement to a total of 38 across its eight commercial seaports, 14 of these based at the Port of Durban. These assets are used to provide port services such as pilotage, towage, firefighting, marine search, and rescue, as well as to combat waterside pollution.
The procurement of this fleet demonstrates Transnet’s commitment to fully realising the recovery plan. TNPA is now approaching 12 months of the 18-month cycle and can see improvement in the agility of executing strategic projects, which will enhance the organisation’s competitiveness.
Meeting the objectives of the marine fleet renewal programme, coupled with a skilled workforce, will catapult our responsiveness to meeting global shipping demands.
PORT PERFORMANCE
From an operational performance perspective, the Port of Durban has performed well in Q2 of the 2024/25 financial year. Here’s how we closed off the quarter:
Volumes: Actual performance is 23675 (‘000 TONS) against a budget of 24515 (‘000 TONS) – resulting in a loss of 840 (‘000 TONS) which is 3% below our Q2 target.
EBITDA: Actual performance is R1,340bn against a budget of R1,309bn – resulting in a R31.6m profit or actual is 2% above budget.
REVENUE: Actual performance is R1.733bn against a budget of R1,878bn - resulting in our actual being 8% less than our budget which translates to R144,8m less than the Q2 target
OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURE: Our actual performance for Q2 is R392m against a budget of R569m – resulting in a R170m less spending which is also equal to 30% below budget.
Sihle Sibiya Petty Officer: Berthing
Ridhakrishan Murugan Petty Officer: Berthing
Mogamad Maneveld Engineer: Infrastructure
Salmaa Vincent Specialist Marine Safety: Harbour Master
Nkululeko Sibiya General Purpose Rating (GPR): Marine Services
The Transnet Recovery Plan is a robust, yet realistic operations-driven plan with its mandate on driving volume recovery and enhancing operations across the Operating Divisions. The safe execution of the plan is imperative for organisational success. It is through operations discipline that safety intends to support the rigor required to meet the demands of the Recovery Plan.
In July 2024, The Port of Durban launched the 10 Point Safety Plan which talks to the following.
Leadership Mobilization: An actively involved Leadership to establish and lead a positive Safety Culture.
Operational Safety: Our business operations are carried out safely and in compliance with regulations, standards, and best practices.
Workplace Safety: Our workplaces are safe and without health and safety hazards to employees. Our Employees actively participates in Safety programs.
Q.Safety Visibility: Safety messages and information is made visible through consistent and constant sharing on different channels and platforms.
Occurrence and Emergency Management: We believe that all safety occurrences are preventable. We are adequately prepared to respond to unforeseen emergency situations.
Public Safety: Where we operate, our operations safely interact with the communities.
Cardinal Safety Rules: Our safety rules are non-negotiable and inspire a positive safety culture.
PPE: We have the right personal protective equipment to perform our jobs safely.
Training & Awareness: Our employees are adequately trained and competent for the jobs that they do and are aware of the inherent job hazards.
Reinforcements: Excellent safety conduct, behaviors and performance are recognized and rewarded.
Going the Extra Mile with: Mr. Thabani Mngomezulu
The Port of Durban would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for Mr. Mngomezulu’s exemplary actions in identifying a potential hazard in the Berthing area. Thabani’s vigilance and proactivity in alerting others and promptly reporting the hazard to the relevant department demonstrates his commitment to workplace safety. His actions not only help to maintain a safe environment for all employees but also set a commendable example for fellow colleagues. We honour your dedication and thank you for your continuous efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone around you. Keep up the excellent work, Dlakadla.
Island
View Clean-up
The SHE Department partnered with terminal operators and conducted a successful clean-up campaign at the Island View Precinct on the 30th of August 2024. The initiative was aimed at enhancing health, safety, and environmental standards in the port.
TNPA and terminal operators managed to clean Berths 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8. All parties involved displayed strong commitment and ensured that the clean-up was a resounding success. The Port of Durban and terminal operators are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing health, safety, and environmental compliance at the Island View Precinct.
International Coastal Clean-up
The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is a global event that involves over 200 countries participating. ICC engages people in removing trash from the world’s beaches and waterways. The event has been held internationally each year since 1986, when people head to the beaches and begin removing debris and debris from shorelines, waterways, and the oceans. On 27 September 2024, the Port of Durban partnered with eThekwini Municipality, MSC, and Sandock to focus on cleaning up the Bayhead Precinct, specifically the area along 2 Bayhead Road, from Cutler Road to Fire Road, and Langeberg Road, extending from the School of Ports to MSC.
Port of Durban Celebrates Arbor Week at Zimisele Primary School
On 5 September 2024, the Port of Durban, in partnership with eThekwini Municipality, celebrated Arbor Week, which is observed annually from 1-7 September. As part of the event, the Environmental team planted White Pear trees, which is the chosen Tree of the Year for 2024, at Zimisele Primary School in uMlazi. In addition, learners were educated on the importance of trees and their role in environmental sustainability.
BPO Partnership (Arbour Day Celebration)
The Port of Durban was invited to participate in the Bidvest Port Operations (BPO) Arbour Day Celebration event. The event was held at the Bayhead Natural Heritage Site on the 18th of September 2024. BPO was represented by BPO Executives including the General Manager, Directors and
National HSE Manager. Four (4) indigenous trees were planted, three (3) were White Pear Trees. The panting of indigenous trees is encouraged to replace alien plants that are being eradicated through the three-year contract for Eradication of Alien Plants with Kunnen Africa Trading.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Men’s Network Launch Introducing Pusha Mondays
The Port of Durban wrapped up its Men’s Health Month activities by launching its Men’s Network on the 30th of July 2024. July is a month dedicated to educating men around the country about the health risks they may face, how to prevent them, what symptoms to look out for, and where to get medical assistance. The Men’s Network will work towards emphasizing the ongoing need for support, education & advocacy surrounding men’s mental and physical well-being, a platform for men representative to voice men issues or concerns and educate each other (i.e. equity, diversity, inclusion issues), report and keep represented men informed, safe space for men to voice men issues or concerns.
The Men’s network aims to teach men their worth (i.e. challenge what it means to be a man, men empowerment initiatives, how to respect and support other constituencies and educate on topical issues (i.e. sexism, mental health, masculinity, violence, and harassment etc.) The representative of the men’s forum will sit in the Edit (EE) Forum.
A series of initiatives will continue beyond the launch, including “Movember,” which aims to raise awareness on men’s health issues, such as prostate & testicular cancer, as well as men’s suicide.”
#MadodaSukumani
In efforts to keep employees focused on achieving annual targets for improved business performance, the “Pusha Monday” activation was launched early September across the ports & at HQ. The first “Pusha Monday” saw employees the Port gathered to gain insight into TNPA’s key focus areas for the 2024/2025 financial year. Throughout the year, employees will receive daily updates on the Turnaround Plan.
TNPA is currently implementing its Turnaround Plan, which is linked to the Transnet Recovery Plan. This initiative aims to keep employees informed about ongoing projects and progress.
Colleagues, thank you for attending the exciting session of “Pusha Monday Rush Hour.” We appreciate your time and participation.
Celebrating Mandela Day
Under this year’s theme “Early Childhood Development, Food Security, and Just Cities” which aims to build sustainable systems to foster healthy upbringings for children, over 80 employee volunteers from the Port of Durban donated their time towards making an impact in the lives of others. This year the Port of Durban showered two beneficiaries with the giving spirit of the late icon Nelson Mandela. The beneficiaries included Made for More NPO which is an organisation that aims to include, equip, and empower people with disabilities using sports and other community projects as tools. Our volunteers assisted the NPO by planting a variety of seedlings and made sure that the facility was kept clean by offering housekeeping services. Primrose Primary School which is based in Isipingo where the development of housing projects surrounding the school has led to an influx of Grade R learners. They have since converted the school’s storeroom into a classroom which was renovated by our Building and Marine, and Power Supply and Services colleagues by painting, electrical wiring, fixing the ceiling, flooring, installing a chalkboard and the installation of a jungle gym.
TNPA remains committed to contributing towards the upliftment and well-being of its communities.
Women’s Day Celebration: All Woman Shift
On August 9th, TNPA celebrated Women’s Day by showcasing an all-women marine crew leading shipping operations at the Port of Durban and they were shadowed by 5 female students from Mowat Park High School who are studying Maritime Studies.
The learners gained first-hand exposure to shipping operations during the sailing and docking of vessels at the port. These activities were designed to help the learners connect classroom teaching and learning of maritime studies with practical shipping operations. “TNPA is deliberate in introducing and incorporating Maritime Studies into the high school curriculum. This contributes to building a pipeline of future mariners not only for the ports authority but for the entire maritime industry,” said TNPA Acting CE Adv. Phyllis Difeto.
Marine Services Graduation Ceremony
We are proud to announce that the following employees have graduated with different competences that support our operation as Marine Services.
Tug Masters: The following have met the internal practical assessment by the Transnet Academy and the government agency exam by SAMSA and awarded a qualification as Master-Port Operation Certificate of Competency
Competency
1. Mvelo Cedric Khawula
2. Sniko Ntshangase
3. Siyabonga Mthembu
4. Anton John Douglas
5. Nontobeko Zuma
6. Orlando Dwakumba
7. Richard Nkosinathi Dlamini
Berthing Masters:
1. Simo Mzizi
2. Sihle Sibiya
3. Murugan Radhakrishnan
4. Nkosingiphile Abigail Nkosi
5. Thembinkosi Ncube.
6. Khanyisani Ndlovu
7. Thembinkosi Dube
Coxswains:
1. Victus Dlamini
Skipper Pilot boat:
1. Sfundo Ally Sithole
Over 520 Grade 9 and 10 learners from various schools within Durban and surrounding areas were hosted by the Port of Durban for its Port Open Day. This initiative is part of TNPA’s World Maritime Day celebrations, which is commemorated annually by the International Maritime Organisation on the last Thursday of September.
The Port Open Day aimed to raise awareness of the significant role played by the maritime sector in driving the economy of South Africa. This day featured a hive of activities including career exhibitions and guidance from maritime industry stakeholders in KZN.
Celebrated in partnership with KZN Department of Transport, eThekwini Municipality, South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and eThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC), young minds from Sibusisiwe Comprehensive High, AJ Mwelase High, Thornwood Secondary, Xolophambili Secondary, Kwamakhutha High, Masakhane High, Mqhawe High and JG Zuma High received career talks as well as an opportunity to visit exhibition stands to learn about the diverse careers that the maritime industry has to offer.
“TNPA is intentional about nurturing talent of future mariners. World Maritime Day presents the perfect opportunity to highlight the pivotal role that the Port of Durban plays in the maritime economy of South Africa and Africa as the busiest port in Sub-Saharan Africa” said TNPA’s Acting Port Manager for the Port of Durban Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi.
Inter Operating Division Sport Tournament
We are pleased to share that the Port of Durban Football Team participated at the Annual Tournament hosted by Durban Container Terminals (TPT) on October 6, 2024. Conceived in 2012, this sport festival was revitalized after a pause due to COVID-19 and has expanded to include more Transnet divisions.
The team showcased exceptional talent and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Our boys won against both teams with a score of 1:0 for each match, which allowed them to qualify for the semifinals. They played against TPT RCB1 and won with a score of 2:1. Unfortunately, the boys lost the final match 2:0 to TPT RCB2.
Toyota New Senior Vice President Visit and Engagements with Port
On the 11th of July 2024, the Port of Durban was visited by the Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) Senior Vice President. The purpose of the visit was to induct him and to build relations and to improve the service provided to TSAM through collaboration.
