LBH South Africa

Saldanha Bay is the deepest and largest natural Port in Southern Africa covering approx. 18300 hectares with a circumference of approx. 91km and is partly protected by an artificial breakwater.

The Port of Saldanha is South Africa ’s only Iron Ore export Port. Originally constructed in early 1970’s to facilitate the export of Iron Ore, the Port is the closest to the Iron Ore mines in Sishen, which are some 860km North East of Saldanha. Bulk Crude and breakbulk Terminals have subsequently also be added to cater for the storage of Crude and handling of Base Metals, Heavy Mineral Sands and locally produced Steel products respectively.

The draft limit in the navigational channel is 23m for Tankers & Iron Ore vessels and 15m for vessels handled at the Multi purpose Terminal. All incoming vessels with a draft exceeding 19.5m and all outgoing vessels with a sailing draft exceeding 21.5m are subject to tidal berthing/sailing.

The Port works 7 days a week, weather permitting. However the Port operates under open sea conditions, so wind and swell are always factors to be taken into consideration that may affect operations and vessel movements. Occasionally, in extreme weather conditions, vessels have to be taken off the berths and go to anchorage or standby out to sea until weather conditions improve.

Terminal Information:

Iron Ore Terminal:

Berth Length Draft Commodities Load Method

Saldanha Side 500m 20.5m Iron Ore – Lump Conveyor belt system

Langebaan Side 500m 20.5m and Fines and two ship loaders

Load rate: 6,500-8,000mt / hour

Max. displacement: 250,000mt Min. displacement: 50,000mt

Max Beam : 58m Min. Beam : 30m

Max Air Draft: 22m

Navigation channel: 23m

Arrival draft restrictions: FWD: 13.0m AFT: 14.0m

The Iron Ore Terminal has two shore side mobile loading appliances, however only one vessel is loaded at a time. Iron Ore is transported by conveyor belts from the stockpile area and loaded directly onto the vessel. The Terminal has a strict policy regarding the age and condition of vessels and all vessels over the age of 15 years must undergo an “Overage Survey” prior to acceptance.

Oil Terminal:

Berth Length Draft Commodities Load/Discharge Method

Tanker Jetty 365m 21.25m Liquid Bulk Crude Oil Pipeline

Load / discharge rate: 8,000-10,000mt / hour

Max. displacement: 300,000mt

Max LOA: 333m

Max Air Draft: 19m

Navigation channel: 23m

Arrival draft restrictions: FWD: 13.0m AFT: 14.0m

Note: Vessels docking with a Deep draft will only be berthed during daylight hours.

The tanker berth is equipped with three 16” connection Chicksan hydraulic arms, each placed 11m apart on the jetty. Port side midships derrick/crane is required on berthing. Special spooling pieces are bolted to the ship’s manifold to enable the arms to be attached. The storage tanks are located about 8km away, outside port limits. Scuppers must be cemented prior to commencement of discharging.

Multi Purpose Terminal:

Berth Length Draft Commodities Load/Discharge Method

201 250m 12m Zircon, Rutile, Steel, Wharf cranes (15 tons each)

202 320m 13.5m Copper, Titanium Slag or ships gear into shore

203 320m 13.5m Zinc Concentrate, hoppers (60 tons each)

Coking Coal, Pellets,

Lead, Pig Iron, Met Coke

Load / discharge rate: 200 – 250mt / hour (per gang)

Navigation channel: 15m

A warehouse of 5544 square meters has been erected recently at the MPT. The Shed is 168m long, 33m wide and 17m high. The Shed is being used to store 35000mt of Galvanized Steel products for Duferco Steel Processing. There are also two 35 ton ADC cranes for the handling of heavy coils of 12 – 30 tons.