UNLIKE Transnet’s Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, for which a private sector partner (PSP) was announced in July, Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT), which was following the same process, remains partnerless.
Transnet had shortlisted three bidders in August last year, who were interested in the NCT partnership. All three entities were also on the DCT Pier 2 shortlist. Last week the Engineering News reported that Transnet Port Terminals CEO, Jabu Mdaki, said that there was insufficient interest from the private sector for a proposed partnership similar to the one being implemented at DCT Pier 2.
The installed capacity at NCT is 1,2 million TEUs, far smaller than DCT Pier 2’s 2,9 million TEUs. Transnet’s Port Development Plan notes that in 2018, NCT’s installed capacity decreased by 300,000 TEUs because two ship-to-loader cranes were transferred to DCT.
Questioned whether the process had been abandoned, executive manager of Corporate Affairs at Transnet Port Terminals, Mbali Mathenjwa, said that private sector investment will assist the Ngqura Container Terminal with maximising existing capacity.
“Updates on progress will be shared once available. The terminal will continue with container handling as demonstrated in the planned refurbishments of ship-to-shore cranes, rubber tyred gantry cranes and rail-mounted gantry cranes. New planned equipment includes haulers, reach stackers and empty container handlers,” she said.
In addition to the container terminal, the Port of Ngqura has installed capacity to handle 6 million tons per annum through its multipurpose terminal.
Talks of a manganese terminal at the port have been ongoing since 2012. Mathenjwa said today that “Plans of building a manganese export terminal with a capacity of 16 million tons are also underway.” This could alleviate congestion at the Port of Port Elizabeth where most of the country’s manganese is sent via rail – and road – from mines in the Northern Cape.
