BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT

THE PROPOSED DEEPENING, LENGTHENING AND WIDENING OF BERTH 203 TO 205 AT PIER 2, CONTAINER TERMINAL, PORT OF DURBAN
(NEAS REF: DEA/EIA/0000988/2012; DEA REF: 14/12/16/3/3/2/275)

PROJECT PROPOSAL & LOCATION

The Port of Durban is the gateway port in the South African ports system which plays an important role in facilitating the import and export needs for much of South Africa. However, the current Blockwork Quay wall of Berth 203 to 205 was designed in the 1970s and recent studies on the stability of quay wall show that the existing quay walls do not meet the minimum Eurocode 7 Safety Standards and thus there is a risk for potential quay wall failure. In addition, vessel sizes have increased since the initial terminal construction and Berth 203 to 205 cannot accommodate the new generation of container ships. Transnet has proposed the deepening, lengthening and widening of Berths 203 to 205 in order to improve the safety of the Berths as well as to improve the efficiency of the Port. This proposed development includes the following: 1.) the extension of Berth 205 by 170m westward; 2.) the extension of Berth 203 by 80m eastward; 3.) the upgrade of Berths 203 to 205; 4.) the extension of Berths 203 to 205 seawards by 50m; 5.) dredging of the berth channel, approach channel and turning circle from -12m CDP to -17m CDP; 6.) excavating of the trench for the new quay wall structure from -12m CDP to -20m CDP; 7.) the offshore disposal of dredge material and 8.) the offshore sand mining for infill material. Three technological alternatives will be assessed during the Environmental Authorisation Process including the Deck on Pile Quay Wall; the Sheet Pile Quay Wall and the Caisson Quay Wall. In addition, due to concerns regarding the impact of Central Sandbank habitat loss, a number of Dredge Footprint alternatives were assessed in order to minimise the impact on the Central Sandbank. These include Option 3B, Option 3C, Option 3D, Option 3E, Option 3F and Option 3G. The latter includes an additional mitigation measure of the Central Sandbank Extension which results in a 0,03% net gain in Central Sandbank habitat.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE SCOPING REPORT

As part of the Environmental Authorisation process, a draft Scoping report was compiled and made available for public review. The Final Scoping Report was then submitted to Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for acceptance. The DEA accepted the Scoping Report on 27 August 2012.

INVITATION TO COMMENT ON DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT (EIR)

The aim of the draft EIR is to provide detail on the findings of the Specialist studies which were undertaken and determine the environmental impacts of the proposed project. The draft EIR is available for public review from 10 October 2012 to 10 November 2012 at the Seafarers Club (1 Seafarers Road, Bayhead, Durban 031 466 1326) and the Central Reference Library (10th Floor, Liberty Towers, 214 Dr. Pixley Ka Seme Street, Durban 031 322 4414). It will also be available for download on the project website (www.berth203to205expansioneia.co.za. We encourage to review and comment on the draft EIR.

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC OPEN DAY EIA PHASE

The Public are encouraged to come to the Public Open Day at their convenience between 10h00 and 17h30. This Public Open Day will take place at the Seafarers Club (1 Seafarers Road, Bayhead, Durban 031 466 1326) on 31 October 2012. The project team will be available throughout the day to answer all queries raised.

REGISTER AS AN I&AP OR COMMENT ON DRAFT EIR

To register as an I&AP, please contact Nemai Consulting at 011 781 1730. You can also fax through comments (on back page) to V. Brueton at 011 781 1731 or email comments to V. Brueton at vanessab@nemai.co.za. Should you require directions to the venue or additional information do not hesitate to contact V Brueton

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL CONSULTANTS

Deepening, Lengthening and Widening of Berth 203 and 205, Container Terminal, Port of Durban
NEAS Ref: 0000988/2012; DEA Ref: 14/12/16/3/3/2/275

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