The port at Saldanha Bay is the only dedicated iron ore export facility in South Africa and is larger than the country’s other four major ports combined. Its proximity to Sishen Mine and Kolomela, linked by rail, makes it the gateway of choice for exporting seaborne iron ore to Kumba’s international customers. Operating 24/7, the port has a loading capacity of around 8 000 tons an hour, with peaks up to 10 000 tons an hour. The ore quay at Saldanha has two berths where two ships of 350 000 DWT can simultaneously berth at the iron ore jetty. The first phase of the port expansion and upgrading of equipment and infrastructure is well under way. Kumba has renewed its long-standing agreement with the Qingdao Port Authority for the handling and use of iron ore stockpile facilities at Qianwan Port in the city of Qingdao. From here Kumba can readily supply steelmaking plants operating in the world’s fastest growing region as well as to other countries in the Asian Basin. Second and third-tier customers in China benefit most from the proximity of the stockpiling area at Qianwan port, experiencing faster turnaround times and the flexibility of ordering smaller quantities.