Mossel Bay : Overview

Mossel Bay has always been a fishing port of substance with limited commercial cargo activity. More recently, however, it has started to service the oil industry as well and today, these two industries play a major role in the development of the port.

Longitude & Latitude

Latitude 34 ° 08' S Longitude 22 ° 08' E

Description of position

Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay is the only South African port that operates two off-shore mooring points within port limits. It also serves as the oil rig supply boat base.

Main features including water area

Since the launch of the Mossgas project in 1987 for the production of synthetic fuels and by-products, Mossel Bay has been on the brink of great industrial development. An excellent road and rail network connects Mossel Bay to the consumer markets and industrial zones of South and Southern Africa.

Owing to the relative small size of the port, it is supported by the Port of Port Elizabeth in various specialised fields, i.e. industrial relations, training, financial management, equipment and infrastructure procurement.

Special features

The Marine Tanker Terminal Single Point Mooring Buoy (MTT) is situated at Voorbaai, an open, unsheltered roadstead, in a depth of about 21 m of water.

Future developments

Sites are also available for leasing in the port for harbour related commercial activities. Sites have already been leased at the current waterfront development project for tourism and recreational activities in the port and development started in April 1998.

Weather affecting port

Prevailing winds, south-easterly and south-westerly. Wind direction and velocity are subject to rapid change without warning.