South Africa’s premier bulk port commemorated its 40th anniversary on 1 April 2016, with further celebratory events planned for the remainder of the milestone year.
The Port of Richards Bay was established in 1976 and – despite being one of the ‘newcomers’ to the industry – has expanded to include a variety of exports, earning it a reputation as one of the most successful of its kind within South Africa’s shores.
The Port of Richards Bay was created for the purpose of transporting locally-mined coal to international shores.
Today it routinely handles a diverse mix of commodities inclusive of magnetite, chrome ore, alumina, coking coal and ferro alloys – all this in addition to the port’s main line of export, coal.
Its existence has led to the creation of other industries within Richards Bay, providing thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for the people of the city and in turn, transforming the small fishing village into an industrial hub, while supporting big businesses such as Richards Bay Coal Terminal, BHP Billiton, Richards Bay Minerals and Foskor.
In addition to this, the port’s 23 berths, specialised cargo handling facilities, fast vessel turnaround, deep-water infrastructure, excellent rail links to the hinterland and its large greenfield development potential, has made the Port of Richards Bay one of the world’s leading bulk ports.
