Fast progress has been made on the country’s first offshore supply base (OSSB) planned at the Port of Saldanha, which holds the promise of welcome economic opportunities for local business.
The OSSB ties in with other Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) projects for Saldanha, collectively valued at almost R10 billion and expected to create thousands of jobs, and directed at transforming Saldanha Bay into a one-stop rig repair and oil-services hub. TNPA said this week the appointed contractor for the OSSB is currently performing site establishment whereafter construction works will commence. The facility will be commissioned by September 2016.
The new OSSB will be established at the General Maintenance Quay and “will be a service hub to offshore oil rigs, supplying rigs with food and materials, as well as waste-collection services”. (Engineering News, 27 February 2015)
Construction work on this facility, which will include warehousing, workshops, offices and a canteen, is to commence this year.
The overall length of the quay will be 294 m with a water depth of 8,5 m, while the total land area has an extent of 47 000 square metres.
According to TNPA the purpose of the facility is to serve as a supply base for vessels servicing offshore exploration and production operations. Bunkering facilities will enable these vessels to take on a range of different bunkers. It is envisaged that meg (monoethylene glycol), mud and drilling fluids will also be available.
The type of businesses that support an OSSB are generally located back of quay and back of port (i.e. in the industrial development zone). These business offer a range of services that include, inter alia, different types of stores, mechanical repairs, piping and coating, chains, anchors, risers, well-head equipment, diving equipment, lubricants, as well as receiving and disposing of waste and slops.
A transaction advisor has been appointed to assist the TNPA with the finalisation of documentation for the appointment of a facility operator. The operator/s will be responsible for providing infrastructure such as warehousing, workshops, offices, canteen and restroom facilities, as well as equipment, e.g. cranes, and other rubber-tyred equipment to operate the facility.
According to TNPA the required environmental approvals for the project have been secured
