The port of Richards Bay on the mouth of the Mhlatuze river, is South Africa's deepest and largest port. It occupies a total area of 2,174 hectares on land and 1,442 on sea. The town was proclaimed in 1969 and the harbour was developed in 1976, mainly to export coal via the railway and oil pipe line from Johannesburg. The coal terminal is the biggest of its kind in the world.
Richards Bay is a modern town with potential for much more growth. It has been earmarked by the Government as one of the country's growth and development points and through the Industrial Development Zone initiative (IDZ), it is bound to attract a great deal of investment.
Richards Bay is approximately 180 km north of Durban and can be reached from the N2. The southern N2 is a toll road and you will pay toll fees of about R60 to reach Richards Bay from Durban. The N2, both from Durban and Pongola, is in an excellent condition.
The Tuzi Gazi Waterfront in Richards Bay is home to pubs, restaurants, shops and walk-on mooring sites for many local and international yachts. This is also where we found the Port Control offices. It is only the border control police with offices in the waterfront. Customs, SARS and Immigration are based in town and will visit the harbour during 7:30 to 16:00 with international departures or arrivals.
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| Richards Bay is a modern town with huge shopping centres and lots of room for growth |
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| This sunken oil tanker near the beach caused a lot of concern recently |
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| Entrance to the Tuzi Gazi Waterfront - crossing this steel bridge over the Mhlatuze river |
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| Yachts at the walk-on mooring sites in the waterfront |
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| Port Control offices in Tuzi Gazi Waterfront |