TRUSTED OFFSHORE TERMINAL MANAGEMENT

South Africa relies on imported crude oil, refined petroleum products, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to meet its energy needs. These imports move through offshore terminals, which must operate safely and efficiently around the clock. Across the country’s coastline, AMSOL provides specialised turnkey services, managing these terminals to ensure clients’ offshore operations run smoothly.

In Durban, AMSOL manages offshore terminal operations and recently completed maintenance of the Single Point Mooring (SPM) Buoy, a National Key Point located approximately 1 mile offshore. The planned maintenance is essential for keeping the system reliable, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring safe operations.

The ten-day programme began in early August, with allowances for weather delays. The work included flushing the topside system to safely disconnect it, maintaining and reconnecting the mooring hawsers, and handling two floating hose strings, each 300 metres long. The hoses were towed to Durban for inspection and repairs, then reinstalled and pressure tested. The topside system was also checked to confirm it was fully operational.

Working offshore along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline is never without challenges as the weather and sea conditions can be unpredictable. Thanks to careful planning, precise execution, and favourable weather windows, the project was completed safely, within budget, and ahead of schedule. This success is a testament to the dedication of AMSOL’s Diving and Terminals teams, supported by the Masters, Officers and Crew onboard the vessels ‘Siyanda’, ‘Siyakhula’, and ‘Sibanye’.

In Saldanha Bay, the company partners with Sunrise Energy to manage LPG tanker operations at the Multi Buoy Mooring facility and in Mossel Bay, the buoy tender vessel ‘Sisonke’ supports PetroSA’s offshore terminals, carrying out inspections, maintenance, repairs, and standby services.
All AMSOL operations follow international best practice. The company aligns with the guidelines of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the Marine Terminal Management and Self-Assessment (MTMSA) framework, ensuring offshore terminals are managed reliably, safely, and in compliance with regulations.

From day-to-day terminal management to complex maintenance programmes such as the recent project in Durban, AMSOL remains committed to delivering solutions that support clients, protect the environment, and keep the South African energy sector moving.