Transnet declares force majeure at terminal

Transnet late on Friday declared force majeure at its Richards Bay Bulk Terminal, it said in a statement, after a fire that broke out at the port on Wednesday.

Richards Bay Bulk Terminal, Africa’s largest coal export facility, is located off the Richards Bay port — one of seven commercial ports that Transnet operates along SA’s coastline.

Transnet did not say whether or to what extent exports of commodities such as coal, steel and other minerals would be impacted. “The terminal is engaging with its affected customers and is in the process of putting the necessary contingencies in place as some routes are operational,” the stateowned company said in a statement on Friday night.

The company said it was investigating a second fire within a week at the port which affected the conveyor system and disrupted some operations.

“The cause of the fire is still unknown and a preliminary investigation is currently underway. Expert assessors and investigators are onsite establishing the extent of the damage,” it said.