State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has installed a new marine excavator on the Italeni – a grab hopper dredger it uses to maintain the promulgated depth of port berths, basins and entrance channels necessary for the safe navigation of vessels in the ports.

The R76-million upgrade replaces the excavator fitted in 2014 that has reached its operational lifespan and improves TNPA's dredging capacity. This feature bolsters berth availability to meet the increasing demand of larger vessels calling at South African ports.

The new excavator is designed to grab dredged material weighing up to 2 000 kg at a radius of at least 20 m. The upgrade will enable the Italeni to efficiently handle yearly dredged volumes of 150 000 m³, which is a significant increase from its yearly capacity of 94 000 m³, TNPA said.

“The installation will boost dredging volumes and increase efficiency at South Africa’s commercial seaports.

“The Italeni upgrade supports TNPA’s strategic aim of creating a smart port system using innovation and technology. Coupled with enhancing the dredger’s capability to dredge the ports to the required depth, the new marine excavator will ensure that our waterside infrastructure remains competitive by improving TNPA’s customer service,” said TNPA acting CE Phyllis Difeto.

A marine excavator is specialised technological machinery used for dredging operations, while ensuring safe and sustainable practice in marine and coastal environments, she said.

The Italeni is the only dredging vessel in South Africa capable of accessing confined berths and quay walls, distinguishing the craft from the rest of TNPA’s dredging fleet necessary for maintenance work.

TNPA is actively optimising port depth through its Dredging Services business unit to ensure the provision of commercially viable berths to its shipping and terminal operation customers.

Further, the newly installed machinery adheres to the Safety of Life at Sea International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, South African Maritime Safety Authority regulations and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships legislation regarding carbon emissions, she added.