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SA’s first offshore
supply base
South Africa’s first dedicated and customised facility
supporting offshore oil and gas activities will be
introduced at the Port of Saldanha.
This follows the conclusion of an agreement
between Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA)
and Saldehco, which was signed off at an official
ceremony at the port on 23 April 2018.
Saldehco is a privately owned South African company,
comprising principal shareholder HARPS Holdings Pte
Limited and local partner Semona. HARPS Holdings is a
private investment company with a strong presence in
Africa and interests in oil and gas; marine; trading; and
real estate, while Semona is a South African B-BBEE
Level 1, 100% female, black-owned company with a
specific focus on the energy sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, TNPA Chief Executive,
Shulami Qalinge, said: “The offshore supply base, or
OSSB, will play a key role in positioning Saldanha as an
oil and gas services hub and stands to benefit from the
international logistics and energy experience of global
players, backed by the local expertise and empowerment
credentials of Semona.”
Saldehco was procured through a section 56 market
approach, which sees TNPA — as landlord and ports
master planner mandated by section 56 of the National
Ports Act — enter into contracts with private terminal
operators to design, construct, rehabilitate, develop,
finance, maintain, operate, and transfer port terminals or
facilities back to the Authority.
TNPA has provided berth infrastructure for the OSSB
at the port’s general maintenance quay. Saldehco will
be responsible for providing warehousing, workshops,
offices, canteen and restroom facilities, as well as
equipment such as cranes and other rubber-tyred
equipment to operate the facility. Representing Saldehco,
chairperson Sophie Masipa said, “In partnering with
June 2018 Volume 24 I Number 4
Transnet, Saldehco will focus on developing the marine
and ocean services industry in Saldanha Bay. Our
focus is on making Saldanha a hub base for marine-
related activities and services on the Western Cape. We
expect this to contribute to the area’s economic and
social development through employment creation and
development of the small business sector.”
“Some of the expected activities to be provided will
include critical need-based services such as marine
bunker, lubricants, as well as fresh water for vessels
calling at the port and marine traffic passing by the Cape
of Good Hope. Additionally, a support facility is intended
to allow for fabrication of offshore structures in support
of both projects on the Western Cape and up to the West
Coast of Africa, as well as capacity to support offshore
and onshore pipe-laying projects,” Masipa added.
OFFSHORE SUPPORT
The OSSB will serve vessels engaged in supporting
offshore exploration and production activities along
the west and east coasts of Africa and calling at South
African ports for support and logistics services. Transnet
Group Chief Executive Siyabonga Gama said, “We
are confident that the job opportunities and capital
investment that will be created by the successful
implementation of this project will change the economic
landscape of the local, regional, and national economy.”
Fundamental to TNPA’s oil and gas strategy, is the
creation of sustainable jobs and opportunities, skills
development, and access to business opportunities
for small to medium-sized B-BBEE companies. Local
partners have been identified for construction and
operation, with 30% of capital spend to be dedicated to
supplier development (SD). During construction, 1 300
jobs will be created and a further 300 direct jobs will be
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