Richards Bay Coal Terminal
Encyclopedia
The Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), located in the Richards Bay harbour, is the largest coal export facility in Africa
. The Chinese port of Qinhuangdao maintains the largest coal exporting terminal in the world, at 209 Million tons compared to Richards Bay with 91 Million tons.
Potential throughput is to reach 91 million tons a year by the first half of 2009..
In 2007 annual throughput was 66.12 million tons, despite a capacity of 76 million tons, due to rail deliveries failing to reach expectations.
Positioned at one of the world’s deep sea ports, RBCT is able to handle large ships and subsequent large volumes. As such, it has gained a reputation for operating efficiently and reliably. In September 2006, RBCT set a new world record by loading and exporting 409 809 tons of coal in a 24 hour period at an annualised rate of 149.17 million tons per annum (Mt/a).
The 260 hectare site currently boasts a quay 1,6 kilometres long with five berths and four ship loaders. The Phase V Expansion will increase the terminal's capacity. Currently, the terminal has a storage capacity of 6.7 million tons of coal and is serviced by six stacker reclaimers, two stackers and a reclaimer.
RBCT commenced its Phase V expansion project in September 2006, which will see total handling capacity being increased to 91 Mt/a in 2009. The expansion will also see the terminal's shareholders increase as export capacity is made available to emerging black coal miners in South Africa, thus creating a new generation of coal exporters who will make use of the facility.
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. The Chinese port of Qinhuangdao maintains the largest coal exporting terminal in the world, at 209 Million tons compared to Richards Bay with 91 Million tons.
Potential throughput is to reach 91 million tons a year by the first half of 2009..
In 2007 annual throughput was 66.12 million tons, despite a capacity of 76 million tons, due to rail deliveries failing to reach expectations.
Positioned at one of the world’s deep sea ports, RBCT is able to handle large ships and subsequent large volumes. As such, it has gained a reputation for operating efficiently and reliably. In September 2006, RBCT set a new world record by loading and exporting 409 809 tons of coal in a 24 hour period at an annualised rate of 149.17 million tons per annum (Mt/a).
The 260 hectare site currently boasts a quay 1,6 kilometres long with five berths and four ship loaders. The Phase V Expansion will increase the terminal's capacity. Currently, the terminal has a storage capacity of 6.7 million tons of coal and is serviced by six stacker reclaimers, two stackers and a reclaimer.
RBCT commenced its Phase V expansion project in September 2006, which will see total handling capacity being increased to 91 Mt/a in 2009. The expansion will also see the terminal's shareholders increase as export capacity is made available to emerging black coal miners in South Africa, thus creating a new generation of coal exporters who will make use of the facility.