Rough seas and howling winds shut KZN port

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45163507 - typical sea storm from northern portuguese coast. slightly enhanced sky. toned blue.

Four-metre swells and wind gusts of over 55km/h resulted in marine movements being suspended at the Richards Bay port on the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast on Sunday night.

Nompumelelo Mkhize‚ deputy harbour master at the port of Richards Bay‚ says the safety of port users is top priority. Image: 123RF/ Zacarias Pereira Da Mata

Four-metre swells and wind gusts of over 55km/h resulted in marine movements being suspended at the Richards Bay port on the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast on Sunday night.

Transnet Port Authority said in a statement on Monday that operations would only resume if weather conditions improved.

Nompumelelo Mkhize‚ deputy harbour master at the port of Richards Bay‚ said: “Whilst port management acknowledges that efficiency is of utmost importance‚ the safety of our port users remains top priority.

“Monitoring and assessment will continue at the port of Richards Bay. Should the weather improve‚ operations will recommence.”

Transnet said in a statement that shipping movements were continuing and that the port remained open in Durban.

“Only waterside terminal operations at the Durban container terminal Pier 2 were suspended at 9.30 pm on Sunday due to strong winds but had resumed by 1pm on Monday.

“TNPA’s port authority operations‚ including marine services‚ can be affected during heavy winds and swells which can prevent the safe movement of vessels in and out of the port‚ depending on the vessel category.”

The authority said it was standard procedure for “port control to closely monitor weather conditions and to advise the affected stakeholders when it is regarded unsafe to move vessels”.

Author: SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER – TimesLIVE

Source: TMG Digital

Date: 04 June 2018 – 14:42

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