Port of Durban
The port of Durban has been in operation since the 19th century and continues to provide needed services. Managed by South African Port Operations (SAPO), Durban harbor is very busy receiving cargo and passenger ships from around the world.
The first European settlers arrived in the Bay of Natal back in 1824. They decided to establish a trading post in this natural harbor along southern Africa's east coast. Either in 1839 or in 1840 Durban port appointed a harbor master. The sandbar blocking the entrance channel was removed and Durban harbor soon became the busiest cargo port in Africa. During the 1930s to the 1950s Durban Bay was a base for flying boats.
Duban Port is located at Longitude 31º 02'E and Latitude 29º 52'S, taking in the entire 1 850 hectares Durban Bay. The central business district and Point waterfront is to the north whilst Maydon Wharf is in the west and Bayhead ship repair area is in the south. Durban harbor boasts some 59 berths over and above those used for ship repair and by fishing vessels. VLCC (very large crude carriers) can dock at the Isipingo buoy mooring. 302 km of rail tracks make their way through the port and there are numerous marshaling yards. The port of Durban is set to provide further container handling facilities as well as a second container terminal.
Durban port is in operation 24 hours of the day, every day of the year. The entrance channels statistics are as follows: 12.8m from Chart Datum depth and 122m width. In the daytime ships entering Durban harbor must not measure over 243.8m in length by 35m wide by 11.9m draught. During the night these restrictions are increased. Pilotage takes place from 3 n.miles north-east of the port's entrance. Management of Durban port is on a common user basis. The 5 business units of Durban Container Terminal, Maydon Wharf Terminal, Multi Purpose Terminal, Car Terminal and City Terminal fall under SA Port Operations. Other terminals are privately managed and include Bluff Coaling Terminal, Fresh Produce Terminal, Sugar terminal and Island View oil and petroleum complex.
Durban's port is a major employer of Durban's population. It does much for the local economy of both Durban and South Africa. In fact its services its very own commercial and industrial region as well as a large portion of South Africa's hinterland.
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