PORT OF CAPE TOWN’S ROBINSON DRY DOCK REOPENED FOR BUSINESS

Transnet National Ports Authority’s Robinson Dry Dock at the Port of Cape Town is a step closer to becoming a modern ship repair facility, thanks to the overhaul of its dewatering infrastructure that will yield operational efficiency improvements for the shipping industry.

In June 2022, the Port of Cape Town undertook the extensive process of replacing the dry dock’s dewatering system, which was necessary to mitigate safety risks, improve operational efficiencies and ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act). The engineering works required a complete shutdown of the facility, and with the project now completed, the dry dock reopened at the end of March 2023, with the first vessel already in the dock for repair work.

Improved operational efficiency benefits include increased system reliability, reduced unplanned downtime and maintenance costs, as well as enhanced life span of the pumphouse dewatering system.

“The upgrade of the Robinson Dry Dock dewatering infrastructure is one of the projects TNPA is pursuing to modernize its ship repair facilities. At the Port of Cape Town, we are committed to ensuring that our facilities are of international standard to enable us to continue to provide value to our customers.” said Rajesh Dana, Port Manager at the Port of Cape Town.

With an extensive maritime legacy that spans over centuries, the Port of Cape Town continues to transform as a leading port in the Southern African region to be a sustainable world-class SMART People’s Port of choice. The Robinson Dry Dock (RDD) in the Port of Cape Town (PoCT) is the oldest operating cobblestone dry dock in the world, and is used largely for commercial purposes.

Source & photo : TNPA