Roberts told Reuters the company was adding approximately 125,000 cubic metres storage capacity in Durban to increase its overall storage capacity in the area to 500,000 cubic metres, expecting it to come on stream from the third quarter of 2026 through to Q3 2027 and help act as a future buffer to unexpected supply shocks such as those emanating from the Middle East.
“This will allow you to increase the stock levels in-country and therefore if something like this happens again, it gives us more time to go and find product elsewhere to bring to South Africa given it takes on average 20, 25 days to ship product to South Africa depending on where it comes from,” he said.
The additional capacity derives from converting old refinery tanks in Durban, and upgrading another receiving facility at Island View, part of ongoing efforts by Vivo Energy to convert the fire-damaged Engen refinery into a storage terminal for a range of products, including diesel, petrol and jet fuel.