FIVE of the seven conveyor belts shut down at the Port of Richards Bay because of a fire, are back in operation.

The port has, however, deployed manual handling for the two which were damaged by the fire to ensure business continuity.

Transnet spokesperson, Ayanda Shezi, said a technical team has also been deployed to assess the extent of the damage and to establish the cause of the fires, not only at the Richards Bay multi-purpose terminal but also at Durban’s grain export terminal in the Maydon Wharf precinct.

‘At Durban’s Maydon Wharf there are two conveyor belts, one handling grain and the other woodchip.

‘The grain conveyor belt was affected by the fire after it had completed loading a grain vessel.

‘The terminal is working around the clock to ensure that the belt is restored by the time the next grain vessel arrives on 26 October,’ said Shezi.

Transnet officials met with the leadership of the agricultural industry and they have undertaken to work together in ensuring a bumper grain season.

‘Should it be found that any of the incidents were as a result of operational negligence on the part of any Transnet employee, further action will be taken,’ said Shezi