Ops at Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal Back to Normal after Strike

Image Courtesy: Transnet

Operations at Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal are returning to normal, following a disruption by striking workers on Monday and Tuesday this week, Transnet has advised.

As informed by a Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) spokesperson, quoted by GAC, the workers who were employed by materials handling company at the TPT facility at the port had embarked on what is described as an “illegal strike” on Monday, demanding permanent employment.

Contract workers at Richards Bay went on the rampage on May 9, tearing up road installations and overturning a police vehicle, GAC said citing local media reports.

However, the workers participating in the strike are no longer within the port premises and operations are stable and ramping up to full productivity, Transnet said in an update.

All planned vessels are operating whilst rail activities are continuing on a limited scale, the update further read.

The Port of Richards Bay is located approximately 160 km North-East of Durban and 465 km South of Maputo on the eastern seaboard of South Africa.

TPT Richards Bay terminal handles dry bulk ores, minerals and break bulk consignments with a draft able to accommodate Capesize and Panamax vessels.