TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the supply of a seawater desalination plant at the Port of East London and plans to issue an RFP for the Nelson Mandela Bay Ports later this month.
The process forms part of efforts to ensure consistent availability of freshwater supply to the ports. It will see the appointment of a qualified service provider to design, construct, operate, and maintain a 0,5 mega litres (ML) per day desalination plant at the Port of East London. The plant will produce potable water in line with drinking water quality standards (SANS 241:2015).
The desalination plant project will enable TNPA to minimise dependency on external parties to provide water to the port system.
East London Port manager, Sphiwe Mthembu, said: “With the recent water challenges experienced in some of the port cities, we acknowledge the need to promote innovative and collaborative efforts to promote sustainable supply. As the port aims to attract vessels in need of bunkering, minor repairs, and water-to-ship transfer, this project becomes of utmost importance.”
“The reliance on an external water supply system poses a risk for the Port when the need for additional water demand arises. TNPA needs to proactively provide solutions to meet the demand and we aim to do so through this desalination project” said sector specialist: water projects, Dr Steven Mathetsa.
The release of the RFP follows sufficient information received from the Request for Information on the same project, which was issued by TNPA in August 2022.