Evaluating straddle carriers and rubber Tyredgantrys to determine which would be the most suitable container handling infrastructure between the quay and stack area at the Durban Container Terminal; Pier 2

Abstract

The Durban Container Terminal (DCT) is currently the largest and busiest container terminal in Africa and handles about 2.7-million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) a year. Berths 203 to 205 of the Pier 2 Container Terminal have been identified to be widened, deepened and lengthened to be able to accommodate Super Post–Panamax container vessels of 9200 TEU capacity with a draft of 14,5m CD. This expansion will allow larger vessels to safely berth, thus increasing the overall economic production gained from the terminal. An assessment of container handling infrastructure currently used at the Port of Durban between the quay and stack area was carried out.Furthermore,alternative infrastructure, like the Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG), that could be used to improve the output results after containers are disembarked from ships were evaluated and is presented in this paper. The results were analyzed and conclusions, as well as recommendations were made.