Latest news with #TNPA
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Be abreast with tech: CM Stalin at DSP passing-out event
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin said policing is a noble duty that demands empathy, patience, and honesty. Addressing the passing-out parade of 24 directly recruited Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy (TNPA) on Thursday, Stalin said every officer should listen to grievances of the people with respect and respond with fairness and urgency. 'When I meet you again, if you say you have served people well, I will be satisfied to the core,' he said. The chief minister stressed on the importance of officers maintaining both physical and mental fitness throughout their career, and urged them to use scientific methods and be abreast with modern technology. He also encouraged officers to spend time with their families, saying a well-balanced life strengthens duty. The batch of 24 DSPs - 9 women and 15 men - began training in July 2024. They come from diverse backgrounds, including engineering, veterinary science, Siddha medicine, and the social sciences. Thirteen are in their first jobs. The 52-week training covered law, cybercrime, community policing, intelligence, and leadership. Officers were trained in arms handling, swimming, yoga, and field duties during Jallikattu and Karthigai Deepam. DGP Shankar Jiwal received the ceremonial salute and awarded the Chief Minister's Trophy and Sword to top performers. Senior officers, officials, and families attended the event.
Daily Maverick
29-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Transnet seeks liquid bulk terminal proposals for Port of Ngqura
Transnet National Ports Authority has issued a Request for Proposals for the appointment of a terminal operator to fund, design, develop, construct, operate, maintain and eventually transfer a liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura, for a concession period of 25 years. In what Transnet described as the first step to move the tank farm at the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura, the parastatal has issued a request for proposals from operators to run a new tank farm at the new location. 'The RFP is a ground-breaking milestone in the relocation of the tank farm from the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura, in line with approved port development plans. The move comes as Transnet is implementing its Reinvent for Growth Strategy, which seeks to transform and grow the business. The new terminal will include liquid bulk storage tanks, road tanker loading gantries, pipelines and the necessary terminal operation infrastructure,' the statement reads. It continued that the landside operation of the proposed terminal was earmarked for the port's liquid bulk precinct located at the eastern extents of the back of port land adjacent to the N2. 'Future developments planned for this precinct will be further developed for energy-related commodities such as liquefied natural gas,' the statement said. '[The new terminal] is intended to foster regional and national economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability,' said acting general manager for commercial services at TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority), Dr Dineo Mazibuko. 'TNPA takes pride in the Port of Ngqura being the only South African commercial seaport in possession of an environmental authorisation for its port operation. In keeping with this green status, the appointed terminal operator will ensure compliance with all relevant environmental, safety and regulatory standards,' Mazibuko said. Decades in the making The moving of the tank farm from the Port of Port Elizabeth has been decades in the making. In 2011, the transfer of the tank farm was stalled due to 'insufficient customer commitment'. Eleven years later, responding to a parliamentary question in 2022, former minister of public enterprises, the late Pravin Gordhan, explained the reason for further delays: 'The delay in the relocation of the fuel tank farm was due to the inability of an operator that was appointed in terms of Section 56 of the National Ports Act, to achieve a commercially viable business case for the proposed terminal, and thus a decision was taken to discontinue the project. 'Subsequently, Transnet supported the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) in developing the liquid bulk facilities in Zone 5 of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in view of the advanced progress the CDC had made with the development of their liquid bulk storage facility. 'The Transnet National Ports Authority has given termination notice to Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd, Engen Petroleum Ltd, and Total Energies Marketing South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Oil Majors) who operate the Liquid Bulk Terminal in the Port of Port Elizabeth, effective 30 April 2022. As a result of this termination notice, the Oil Majors have lodged an appeal to the Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA) contesting this termination. 'A firm timeline for the relocation cannot be determined until such time that: TNPA and Astron settle the PRSA matter. There is a firm commitment from the Oil Majors to commit to commercial offtakes with the CDC or a liquid bulk storage facility operator appointed by the implementing agent, CDC. 'In October 2020, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) issued a Remediation Order in terms of Part 8 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act of 2008. This Remediation Order will regulate how the Oil Majors will undertake the decommissioning and remediation of the Port of Port Elizabeth's liquid bulk terminal. TNPA has initiated negotiations to conclude a Decommissioning and Remediation Exit Agreement. 'The Oil Majors have cited that this Agreement cannot be finalised without the PRSA appeal being determined and for realistic timelines for the relocation to the Port of Ngqura/CDC SEZ being agreed to,' Gordhan said at the time. DM
IOL News
28-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transnet approaches market for new liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said on Friday that it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a Terminal Operator to fund, design, develop, construct, operate, maintain and transfer a liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura, for a concession period of 25 years. The RFP is a ground-breaking milestone in the relocation of the tank farm from the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura, in line with approved port development plans. The move comes as Transnet is implementing its Reinvent for Growth Strategy, which seeks to transform and grow the business. The new terminal will include liquid bulk storage tanks, road tanker loading gantries, pipelines and the necessary terminal operation infrastructure.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- IOL News
Concerns raised over safety protocols at Saldanha Bay Port following docking of vessel
Questions were raised about the recent docking of the Forest 6 cargo vessel at the Saldanha Bay Port recently. Allegations have surfaced from Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) insiders and other officials regarding the recent docking of the vessel Forest 6 at Saldanha Bay Port, which has allegedly offloaded 48 isotainers without adhering to essential safety protocols. The incident has prompted a deeper investigation into compliance with the National Occupational Health and Safety Act by both TPT and the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), raising concerns about the safety measures in place to protect workers and the environment at the port. According to information from some officials on the ground, who asked not to be named for fearing reprisals, the Forest 6 vessel docked at Jetty 406 and began offloading approximately 1728 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) despite stringent objections from local safety authorities at Transnet Port Terminals (TPT). "On June 10 at 14:50, officials at TPT expressed grave concerns regarding the risks associated with the offloading process. Citing safety grounds, they rejected the vessel's offloading request, citing the unusual weight and the use of a crane that is not standard for the terminal environment." However, while this was going on, an unnamed official from "head office" intervened, overruling the local TPT safety objections and insisted that the operation continue. According to TPT in response to detailed questions, the Forest 6 docked at their terminal from June 10 until June 12, 2025 under a standing terminal operating license, allowing them to handle such cargo. They stated that all safety protocols, compliant with standard operating procedures at the terminal, were diligently followed throughout the operation. However, they refrained from divulging any third-party information or documentation, citing the stipulations of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act). Contrarily, the TNPA has asserted that no vessel has docked at Saldanha Bay without adhering to the strict tenets outlined in the National Ports Act and corresponding Port Rules and Berthing Guidelines. Ayanda Shezi, the group head of corporate affairs at Transnet maintained that the Forest 6, which was granted ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) clearance by the Department of Transport on 15 May 2025, was assigned to berth 201 after a comprehensive risk assessment according to established regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, she confirmed that customs clearance was mandatory for all incoming cargo at South African ports, a process that is rigorously verified by the terminal operator. "No vessel has docked in the Port of Saldanha without following the prescripts of the National Ports Act, Port Rules, and Berthing Guidelines. TNPA is not aware of vessel/ terminal operations that are inviolation of the National Occupational Health and Safety Act or any applicable safety protocols. "The Vessel 'Forest 6' was ISPS (security) cleared on May 15, 2025 by the Department of Transport and docked by TNPA Marine Services at Berth 201 on June 10. "TNPA assigned the vessel Forest 6 to berth 201 based on a comprehensive risk assessment, in line with the National Ports Act and Port Rules. No imported cargo is allowed to land in a South African port without customs clearance, such clearance is verified by the Terminal Operator. "Lastly, TNPA is not required to notify the South African Reserve Bank regarding products in the cargo carried by vessels," she explained. Bongani Philips, the CEO and Chairman of LIU Energy, which was one of the companies responsible for bringing in and importing the Liquefied Petroleum Gas in isotaners on board vessel Forest 6 at Saldanha Bay, denied allegations of violations of safety protocols in bringing in the products. He raised urgent concerns regarding the treatment of black-owned companies in South Africa's energy sector, particularly in the importation of LPG. Phillips expressed frustration at the refusal to grant important licenses that would allow them to operate efficiently. He noted that the same cargo that faced scrutiny in South Africa was routinely imported into Namibia without issue, raising questions of selective enforcement and potential discrimination. 'LPG in ISO containers is not more dangerous than the bombs and bullets imported for military defence in this province. "I will not allow certain individuals to dictate terms to me when I have the rights to bring cargo into South Africa,' he said. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transnet selects bidders for R17bn liquid bulk and green fuel terminals at Richards Bay
The initiative forms part of TNPA's comprehensive masterplan for KwaZulu-Natal ports, which is in line with the broader Transnet Segment Strategy. Image: Supplied/Transnet Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has named five companies as preferred bidders for the development of liquid bulk and green fuel terminals in the South Dunes Precinct of the Port of Richards Bay. With the project valuing approximately R17 billion, this venture marks a substantial expansion of the port's liquid bulk handling capacity, while also propelling the nation towards a more sustainable energy future. Following a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued on 6 December 2023, TNPA on Thursday said it has awarded preferred bidder status to KZN Oils, Linsen Nambi, Protank, Bidvest/Mnambithi Consortium, and KNGM Engineering. This ambitious project encompasses funding, design, development, construction, operation, maintenance, and eventual transfer of liquid bulk terminals over a 25-year concession period. Terminal designs will enable the handling of a range of essential petrochemical products, including diesel, petroleum, jet fuel, marine fuels, biofuel, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), pure butane, pure propane, base oils, and bitumen. The initiative forms part of TNPA's comprehensive masterplan for KwaZulu-Natal ports, which is in line with the broader Transnet Segment Strategy. Captain Dennis Mqadi, Richards Bay port manager, expressed his optimism about the port's future. 'The award of preferred bidders for the South Dunes Precinct development is a major milestone in strengthening the Port of Richards Bay's position as a premier liquid bulk and green fuel hub,' Mqadi said. 'By securing long-term investment in critical infrastructure, we are ensuring the port remains globally competitive while contributing to South Africa's energy security objectives.'
