Latest news with #TransnetNationalPortsAuthority
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transnet calls for proposals to enhance Durban port with new fresh produce terminal
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said in a statement on Monday that they had issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to construct a multi-purpose terminal (MPT) to handle fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo. Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to construct a multi-purpose terminal (MPT) to handle fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo at the Port of Durban. TNPA on Monday said that the RFP will be for the appointment of a terminal operator to design, develop, fund, construct, operate, maintain and transfer an MPT handling fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo for a 25-year concession period at the port. 'The issuing of this RFP is in accordance with Section 56 of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005 to enhance the port's efficiency and competitiveness,' it said. 'This brownfield development is earmarked for the Maydon Wharf precinct of the port, which has its landside area dedicated to commercial logistics, including warehousing and transport logistics-related activities.' The port spans approximately 145 hectares, features 15 berths and has a capacity of more than seven million tons of cargo annually. Situated at the western extent of the port, the precinct is primarily a mixed-use precinct that hosts cargo terminals handling dry bulk, break bulk, a limited amount of liquid bulk and containerised units. Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, acting TNPA port manager for the Port of Durban, said that this multi-purpose terminal RFP was a pivotal development for the port. 'It will enhance the port's competitiveness to support the domestic and international supply chain while aligning with Transnet's goals to increase cargo volumes and ultimately lead to economic growth and job creation in the region,' Ben-Mazwi said. Malcolm Hartwell, Norton Rose Fulbright director and master mariner, said that TNPA's recent RFP reflected its continued commitment to privatisation. 'The Port of Durban was, for decades, the primary port for the export of fresh produce, in particular, citrus from Mpumalanga. The fresh produce terminal has fallen into disrepair and, as a result, lost most of the trade to containerisation and the neighbouring countries,' he said. Hartwell added that the private sector has been pushing Transnet to allow the private sector to operate various terminals in various ports, with Transnet playing the role of landlord. 'The private sector enjoys the expertise to operate specialist terminals and has the capacity to develop them. TNPA, for well-documented reasons, lacks the expertise and the capacity and, burdened with massive capital debt, has been unable to maintain the existing facilities or develop new ones.' Hartwell said that the RFP was accordingly good news, not only for Transnet but also for the future users of a terminal of this nature and South Africa's economy. 'The benefit of having a terminal of this nature is that it will provide competition to similar terminals in Namibia and Mozambique and attract specialist refrigerated ships to South African ports. Those ships will obviously contribute both to Transnet and the economy's coffers,' he said. BUSINESS REPORT
Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: TNPA enhances dredging capacity with advanced technology
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is enhancing its dredging capabilities with the installation of a new marine excavator on the Italeni, a Grab Hopper Dredger. This upgrade will help maintain the required depth of port berths, basins, and entrance channels, ensuring safe vessel navigation in South Africa's ports. A marine excavator is a specialised technological machinery that is used to improve dredging operations while ensuring safe and sustainable practises of marine and coastal environments. The installation of this cutting-edge technology will boost dredging volumes and increase efficiency at South Africa's commercial seaports. With an investment value of R76m, the newly installed excavator is designed to grab dredged material weighing up to 2,000kg at a radius of at least 20 meters. The upgrade will enable the Italeni to efficiently handle dredged volumes of 150,000 cubic meters (m³), a significant increase from its annual capacity of 94,000 m³. Strategic upgrade to meet growing demand The upgrade replaces the excavator fitted in 2014 that has reached its operational lifespan. This feature bolsters berth availability to meet the increasing demand of larger vessels calling into South African ports. "The Italeni upgrade enables TNPA's strategic intent of creating a smart port system through harnessing innovation and technology. Coupled with enhancing the dredger's capability to dredge the ports to the required depth, the new marine excavator will ensure that our waterside infrastructure remains competitive by improving TNPA's customer service offering," said Phyllis Difeto acting TNPA chief executive. Italeni is the only dredging vessel in South Africa capable of accessing confined berths and quay walls, which distinguishes the craft from the rest of TNPA's dredging fleet, which is necessary for maintenance work.
