Comprehensive Insights into Richards Bay Deep Water Port on South Africa's East Coast
The Richards Bay Deep Water Port is a significant maritime infrastructure located on the east coast of the Republic of South Africa, in the province of Natal, approximately 150 km north of Durban. Construction began in 1972 and was completed over five years. The deep-water port primarily facilitates the export of coal harvested in the eastern province of Transvaal. Initially, the Richards Bay Lagoon was an untouched natural site preserved as a nature reserve until the expansion of the port. The 4.5-kilometer-long dike and the flood regulation structure ensure efficient water level control and protection against the strong waves of the Indian Ocean. Featuring two large quays and extensive dredging operations, the port accommodates ships up to 250,000 deadweight tons. Construction involved over 660,000 m³ of concrete and 170 million m³ of dredging, supported by modern trenching dredgers and hopper dredgers. The Richards Bay Port is a central element in South Africa’s export economy and a masterpiece of port engineering.
