Coal to the world,

growth to the nation

About RBCT

Richards Bay Coal Terminal (Proprietary) Limited (“RBCT”) is one of the leading coal export terminals in the world. RBCT was established in 1976 with an original capacity of 12 million tons per annum, (“Mt/a”) and has expanded it has grown into an advanced 24-hour operation with a design capacity of 91 Mt/a. The Terminal provides South Africa’s Coal Exporting Parties (CEPs) with a world class logistics service that facilitates the export of coal.

RBCT is positioned at one of the world’s deep sea ports and handles large volumes of coal and vessels. The 276 hectare site currently boasts a quay that is 2.2 kilometres long, 6 Berths and 4 Shiploaders, with a stockyard capacity of 8.2 Mt.

Mines

Coal Received from

65 Collieries
TRANSNET FREIGHT RAIL

Rail Coal to RBCT
Service Level Agreement
Transnet Value Coordination Committee
Monthly Channel Oversight Meetings
Channel Logistics Team Meetings
RBCT

Offload
Manage Stockpiles
Load Vessels
TRANSNET NATIONAL PORTS AUTHORITY

Berthing of Vessels
Service Level Agreement
Daily Interface between Port Control and Planning
Monthly TNPA Interface Meetings
Terminal Operational Performance Standards

RBCT shares a strong co-operative relationship with South Africa’s national utility, Transnet, which provides the railway services linking the coal mines to the port and the shipping coordination of more than 900 vessels per annum.

All RBCT’s operational and administrative functions are conducted in Richards Bay.

Export Destination per Continent

Asia
86

.4
%

Europe
4

%

Africa
5

.3
%

Middle East
4

.3
%

History

1971

Richards Bay was identified as the ideal port location following feasibility studies, due to its natural lagoon and proximity to coal mines and related infrastructure.
1972

Transvaal Coal Owners Association (“TCOA”) was awarded the contract with the Japanese steel mills for 27Mt of coal over a period of 10 years.
1976

The Port of Richards Bay officially opened on 1 April 1976.

Richards Bay Coal Terminal begins exports with Phase 1 at a capacity of 12Mt/a.
- TCOA had an agreement to supply 27Mt of coal over a period of 10 years to the Japanese steel industry
- On reclaimed land, the Port had a depth of 1.5 to 2m and subsequent to the dredging of channel, the depth increased to 22m.
- Size of RBCT; 276ha.
- Ships allowed to load to 17.5m.
- On the yard: Tandem Tippler 1, Stacker Reclaimers 1 and 2, Berm wall, random tippler (1 truck only) and Ingo 1 Sampling Tower.
1977
- Capacity 12Mt/a.
- Trains arrived in set batches of 78 trucks.
- 2 Shiploaders (“SL1” and “SL2”).
- 2 Tandem Tipplers (“TT1” and “TT2”).
- Foundations laid for Phase 2 machines (“SR3” and “SR4”).
- Can handle Capesizes (Beam of Capesize tolerance 47.5m) LOA unlimited.
- Rail loop infrastructure circles Ph 1 and 2.
1981

RBCT capacity increases from 12Mt/a to 24Mt/a.
- Ground work for Phase 3 commenced.
- Phases 1 and 2 runs East to West.
- Phases 3 and 4 to run North to South.
- Construction of New Mouth and tidal gate as well as redirection of river.
- Stacker 5 commissioned (“ST5”).
- Yard Machines SR1 and SR2, ST5 as well as SR3 and SR4.
- 2 Tandem Tipplers (TT1 and TT2) and 1 Random Tippler.
- 2 Shiploaders (SL1 and SL2).
- Groundwork for new rail loop commenced.
- 200mm layer of coal utilized as carpet coal (spillage coal).
1984

Phase 3 Expansion completed: RBCT further expands exporting capacity to 44Mt/a.
- Part of Phase 3 commissioned.
- Rail loop changed from encircling Phases 1 and 2 to current layout.
- Rail loop changed from encircling Phases 1 and 2 to current layout.
- 5 Yard Machines on Phases 1 and 2, 4 Yard Machines on Phase 3.
- 3 Shiploaders, addition of Shiploader 3 (“SL3”).
- 4 Tandem Tipplers.
1991

Phase 3 Upgrade: export capacity increased to 53Mt/a.
- Q-line partially commissioned.
- Reclaimer 11 commissioned.
- 9 Yard Machines.
- 3 Shiploaders.
- 4 Tandem Tipplers.
1995

Capacity enhancements exercise increase exporting capacity to 63Mt/a.
1999

Brownfields expansion increases exporting capacity to 72Mt/a.
- Shiploader 4 (“SL4”) commissioned.
- Q-line fully commissioned.
- 9 Yard Machines.
- 4 Tandem Tipplers.
- 4 Shiploaders.
- Stockyard capacity – 6.7Mt (ideal level – 4.5Mt).
2000

RBCT exports 1 billionth tons of coal – November 2000.
2006

Phase 5 Expansion commences in September 2006, taking terminal capacity to 91Mt/a.
2008

As of 1 January 2008, official design capacity of the Terminal increases to 76Mt/a.
2010

Phase 5 Upgrade

Design capacity of the Terminal increases to 91 Mt/a as of 1 May 2010.
- Stacker Reclaimer 6 (“SR6”) commissioned.
- Tandem Tippler 3 (“TT3”) commissioned.
- 10 Yard Machines.
- 5 Tandem Tipplers.
- 4 Shiploaders.
- Conveyor 460 (“C460”) – bypass conveyor.
- Esup Dam.
- Extra rail loop.
- J line extended by 300m together with I line.
- Stockyard capacity – 7.8Mt (ideal level – 5.2Mt), grades/no of stockpiles.