The Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal (IOT) has commenced its annual 16-day maintenance shutdown, which runs from 6 to 21 October 2026.
The shutdown provides an opportunity to undertake critical maintenance activities that cannot be accommodated during the terminal’s weekly 12-hour maintenance windows. All key stakeholders, including customers, have been consulted on the planned shutdown.
As part of Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth strategy, the maintenance programme will focus on infrastructure upgrades, dust-management systems, and the refurbishment of key mechanical and electrical components across the terminal’s cargo-handling equipment.
Given the terminal’s extensive reliance on conveyor systems, this year’s programme includes component replacements, civil works, repairs to two rail tipplers, and maintenance of ship loaders and the stacker-reclaimer bucket-wheel structure.
According to Terminal Manager Warren Kramer, one of the key upgrades is the installation of a new misting system at the ship loaders to further suppress dust emissions during loading operations.
“These improvements form part of the terminal’s ongoing commitment to enhancing air quality and maintaining compliance with environmental standards,” said Kramer.
Planned maintenance interventions are essential to maintaining the long-term reliability of the terminal, reducing operational risk and improving equipment performance.
Kramer also said commissioning of the terminal’s new third tippler is progressing well, with testing and optimisation activities nearing completion as the facility moves closer to full operational readiness.
The new tippler forms part of the recently completed R4 billion Saldanha Infrastructure Project, which introduced new equipment and technologies to support cargo-handling operations. Key upgrades delivered through the project include advanced wet and dry dust-extraction systems, as well as enhanced emissions-suppression technology at the rail tipplers.
As Africa’s largest iron ore export facility and South Africa’s only dedicated iron ore export terminal, the IOT handles more than 50 million tonnes annually and plays a critical role in the country’s export economy.
Since commencing operations in September 1976, the Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal has exported more than 1.4 billion tonnes of iron ore, making a significant contribution to South Africa’s export economy and strengthening the country’s position in global iron ore markets.
Additional capital projects aimed at further reducing emissions are planned over the next two financial years.
