BP SA launches country’s largest rail gantry, plans to boost storage tank capacity

BP SA said it has launched one of Africa’s largest rail gantries, stating that the rail loading and offloading gantry will help improve the security of supply of petroleum products from the coast to the inland. The completion of the gantry signals the completion of the company’s R140 million (US$20.65 million) expansion project. BP SA CEO Sipho Maseko said, “This facility would play a major role in addressing the capacity deficit caused by pipeline constraints as it provided another option for the company to move products from the ports to inland areas.” Maseko went on to say that the magnitude of the project would significantly improve and accelerate the rail transport of BP fuel to Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the northwest and Limpopo. Previous to the new gantry the company could decant 20 tankers at a time. With the gantry, the company is able to decant 36 tankers which increases offloading capacity by 80%. In addition, the company said part of its expansion plans includes boosting storage tank capacity by adding a 10 million liter diesel storage tank at the same depot. Maseko stated the investment in new infrastructure and storage are aimed at easing South Africa’s fuel supply challenges. (March 9, 2011)