Operation Phakisa is a unique initiative of the South African Government designed to fast track the implementation of solutions for critical issues highlighted in the (NDP) such as poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Freeport Saldanha is linking to Operation Phakisa as an enabling mechanism to provide favourable conditions for facilitating economic development and job creation in South Africa.
The Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy Programme is a key development in positioning Saldanha Bay as an oil, gas and marine repair services hub. Moreover, The Operation Phakisa port infrastructure creates South Africa’s first Offshore Supply Base (OSSB) at the Port of Saldanha.
The development of the OSSB will contribute to Saldanha Bay’s economic and social development through job creation and the development of SMME’s in the Saldanha Bay area.
Our key partners Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) have approved the development of the OSSB and provided berth infrastructure at the ports general maintenance quay where Saldehco will be responsible for delivering warehousing, offices and workshops to operate the facility.
The infrastructure will include:
Finger Jetty
Ample space to set up bespoke short-term operations with an area of 35 hectares and consists of a new 500m long, 8m deep quay dedicated to marine repair and fabrication activities. (an existing shallow water fabrication jetty)
Proximity to the quayside on a first-come, first served basis. Supported by one or more floating docks operated by the private sector to handle repair work and enable vessels to be taken out of the water for repairs.
Berth 205
Currently, rigs are repaired at berth 204. The proposed berth 205 envisages the construction of a 380m long quay wall together with reclamation works to create a storage yard area. The seabed levels in this area are currently at approximately -14.9m CD and dredging will be required for berth 205 to have a depth of -21m CD. The intention is that berth 205 will operate as a dedicated rig repair facility that will be able to accommodate ultra-deepwater rigs and semi-subs, which currently cannot be housed at the Port of Saldanha or the Port of Cape Town.