The skyline of Wentworth changed this week when a tall stack at the Engen refinery was demolished in a controlled explosion, marking a visible step in the site's conversion from a manufacturing refinery into a fuel storage terminal.
Decommissioning under way
Engen Vivo Energy said the decommissioning of refinery manufacturing equipment is complete and that teams are now engaged in the safe dismantling and demolition of the structures that supported the manufacturing process. The company confirmed the overall project began in April 2025 and that activities are progressing "safely and according to plan," according to a spokesperson.
"With the successful decommissioning of the refinery’s manufacturing equipment, Engen is currently undertaking the safe dismantling and demolition of equipment and infrastructure previously used in the refinery manufacturing process," the Engen Vivo Energy spokesperson said.
Video of the stack — a vertical pipe that for decades was a familiar landmark in south Durban — being brought down has circulated on social media, drawing attention from residents and local representatives.
Community concerns over traffic and roads
eThekwini Ward 66 DA councillor Zoe Solomon said the area is now being referred to as the Engen Industrial Hub, a description that heightens scrutiny of future activity at the site. Solomon raised concern about the route heavy vehicles will use to access the planned Island View fuel storage facility and the impact on local roads.
She noted the municipality intends to develop Island View Road to accommodate heavy vehicles, and pointed to recent municipal spending on resurfacing as part of capital expenditure. Solomon said the city allocated R6 million to resurfacing Tara Road, covering a 1 km stretch from Basil February Road to Engen's gate.
"There will be supply chain activity as well as leasing to outside commercial tenants," Solomon said, adding that tankers already put pressure on road structures. The councillor indicated it would be sensible for tanker traffic to follow routes that minimise damage to residential streets.
What is being dismantled
The company highlighted the complexity of dismantling large industrial components. Lists of structures being removed include:
- stacks
- storage tanks
- columns and process equipment
- associated infrastructure
Engen said it conducted a comprehensive review of demolition methodologies and put mitigations in place to minimise impact on stakeholders, employees and nearby communities.
Local impact and practical considerations
The transition from refining to terminal operations typically reduces on-site manufacturing risk but can increase truck movements as fuel products are moved in and out by road tankers. Residents and local leaders will be watching the implementation of road upgrades and traffic management plans closely as the site changes function.
| Event | Date / Detail |
|---|---|
| Project commencement | April 2025 — decommissioning and conversion project began |
| Demolition activity | Controlled demolition of a refinery stack (video circulated on social media) |
| Road resurfacing allocation | R6 million for 1 km of Tara Road (Basil February Road to Engen gate) |
For residents close to the former refinery, the change will bring practical questions: how many heavy vehicle movements will pass daily, which streets will carry tankers, and what measures will be taken to protect residential road infrastructure. The company has said it is committed to minimising disruption, while the councillor’s comments signal close municipal involvement in preparing roads for heavier loads.
As demolition and dismantling continue, stakeholders in Wentworth and surrounding suburbs will be monitoring environmental, traffic and noise management measures. The project's visible stage — the removal of a long-standing piece of industrial infrastructure — marks an end of one era and the start of another for the south Durban coastline.
