Upgrade works underway at East London’s Princess Elizabeth dry dock

By Baird Maritime - October 1, 2019.

*The South African research vessel SA Agulhas at the Princess Elizabeth dry dock in 2018 (South African Maritime Safety Authority file photo)*

A US$3.8 million project is underway to repair and upgrade the Princess Elizabeth dry dock at the river port of East London in South Africa.

The project includes repair of the dry dock’s caisson, which has become subject to corrosion and leaking, and refurbishment of the main shut-off valves.

The Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) expects the works would not only make the dry dock safer, but would also help significantly reduce the time needed to flood the dock during shipbuilding and ship repair activities.

The works are being carried out by local construction firm Lodemann Holdings with design assistance by Southern African Shipyards. Completion is expected in the first half of December 2019.