Marking Saldanha Bay Iron Ore Terminal’s 50th year in operation, the facility is putting a new wagon tippler system through its paces.

The tippler and associated infrastructure, costing ZAR4 billion, are expected to be officially commissioned in September, when the project is handed over to operations.

The project is part of Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth strategy, which will see the replacement or updating of infrastructure across South Africa’s ports to increase export capacity and encourage growth, reports Engineering News.

The tippler project includes the construction of a new Eskom substation, a 1.7 km conveyor system, heavy-haul rail infrastructure, road bridges, conveyor tunnels, gantry cranes, high-mast lighting, fibreoptic and control system integration and related power infrastructure.

In addition, dust management systems and related environmental mitigation measures form part of the terminal’s ongoing plan to manage the environmental impact of iron-ore handling activities in the area.

Local construction of the tippler, which empties freight rail cars, enabled a 45% local content and supported about 1 500 local jobs.

Started in 1976, the Saldanha Bay Iron Ore Terminal handles about 93% of South Africa’s iron ore exports. Transnet Ports Terminals (TPT) says the terminal has handled about 1.3 billion tons in its 50 years of operations.

‘In its 50th year, we are advancing one of the most significant infrastructure investments undertaken at the terminal and positioning this strategic export corridor for the future,’ says TPT chief executive Jabu Mdaki.

9 June 2026
Image: Unsplash