Port of Ngqura
The main intended function of the Port of Ngqura is to service the industrial bulk commodity requirements of the regional and national hinterland.[5] Two of the physical characteristics that had the most significant influence on the lay-out of the port, were the paleo-channel that runs through the site and Jahleel Island that is situated 1 km off-shore.The paleo channel provided an opportunity to establish a deepwater port without the need to dredge large quantities of consolidated material.The bay's birdlife, which includes a significant African penguin population was deemed to be environmentally sensitive, so construction was forbidden within 500 m of the island.The five-storey, 10 000 m2 building was named eMendi in reference to the SS Mendi troop ship that sank in the English Channel a hundred years before in 1917, carrying over 800 servicemen, the majority of whom were black South Africans.[8] A lime kiln, dating back some 65 years is located outside the port side of the atrium and was declared a heritage site and protected against damage during construction.In addition to offices, other facilities include a gymnasium, canteen, boardrooms, training rooms, a Port Operations Centre and staff rest areas.Transnet is upgrading a rail corridor which will connect Ngqura with manganese mines around Hotazel in the Northern Cape.The corridor would be 1,003 km long, and would mostly involve upgrades of existing rail lines; capacity is expected to increase from 5·5 million tonnes / year to 16 mpta.