Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT)
THE SINGLE LARGEST EXPORT COAL TERMINAL INTHE WORLD
Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) is the single largest export coal terminal in the world. Established in 1976 with a capacity of 12 million tons, it has grown into an advanced 24-hour operation with a capacity of 91 million tons per annum.
RBCT shares a strong co-operative relationship with Transnet Freight Rail, which laid the 560 kilometre railway line linking the coal mines to the port, and with Transnet National Ports Authority, which coordinates the arrival and departure of more than 700 ships a year. The terminal currently boasts a quay 2.2 kilometers long with six berths and four shiploaders, the two largest of which load at 10 000 and 11 000 tons per hour. The terminal is capable of storing up to 8.2 million tons of coal and is serviced by ten yard machines.
Rated as a level three BEE contributor, during 2010, RBCTsuccessfully incorporated new BEE shareholders. The aim for the Phase V expansion was to enable BEE coal exporters to expand their global footprints and have access to international markets. A total of nine million tons was allocated to eight new BEE users, six of these as shareholders and two as long term commercial users. The four million tons was allocated to Department of Mineral Resources to manage on behalf of smaller BEE users who do not yet qualify to be shareholders (18 companies are currently on this programme)
Coal to theworld, growth to the nation is RBCT's slogan which defines exactly what RBCT is about. Community growth and development is paramount to RBCT. Every year we assist various projects in communities within Zululand to fight poverty.
As the terminal celebrated 35 years on 1 April 2011, it is proud of the critical role it plays in the coal export value chain and the opportunities that it has played a role to open up for BEE coal exporters.
