Under the proposed 25-year concession, the selected operator will be responsible for designing, financing, constructing, operating, maintaining and ultimately decommissioning the floating dry dock. Demand for ship repair services has continued to grow, driven by rising regional trade volumes and increased vessel traffic along the Cape Sea Route. TNPA said the new floating dry dock would help meet this demand while supporting the long-term development of South Africa's maritime sector. "The Port of Cape Town has long played a significant role in supporting the maritime industry through its ship repair facilities," said Ophelia Shabane, Acting Port Manager, Port of Cape Town. Once operational, the floating dry dock will support a range of maintenance and repair activities, including hull repairs, machinery and equipment overhauls, steelwork inspections and specialised maintenance services.