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Transnet National Ports Authority has announced "bold plans" to inject R9.1 billion into upgrading its Central Region, namely the ports of East London, Port Elizabeth, and Ngqura.
This was revealed during recent stakeholder engagements in both Metros by TNPA managing executive, Siyabulela Mhlaluka, who said this capital investment programme is underpinned by the Transnet Segment Strategy to realign the business with strategic sectors of the economy.
In a statement, he said, "in alignment with the Transnet Segment Strategy and the TNPA Re-imagined Operating Model, the Central Region ports are being positioned in accordance with critical sectors within the Eastern Cape province ranging from the automotive, liquid bulk, agriculture and tourism sectors."
"We are continuously creating an enabling and performance-driven environment that unlocks bottlenecks and accelerates the execution of strategic projects through the establishment of regional and national capital investment war rooms, where project sponsor engagement is relevant and influential in enabling the project team," Mhlaluka said.
He added that his approach would ensure that TNPA delivers on its capital investment commitments in the region.
The seven-year R9.1 billion capital investment programme for the Central Region ports comprises a budget allocation of R4.8 billion for the Nelson Mandela Ports, and R4.3 billion for East London.
"We have earmarked the Port of Port Elizabeth for the automotive sector, within the port of Ngqura being positioned as a transshipment and energy hub for the southern hemisphere," Mhlaluka said.
The Port of East London is "sited for servicing the broader automotive, industrial and agricultural sectors in the region by enhancing the port’s capability and complementing the East London Industrial Development Zone."
Mhlaluka said the Port of East London’s grain elevator is a key asset to the province, and this has been emphasized by the diversion of some of the agricultural cargo from Durban to the East London port.
"TNPA’s capital investment programme and plan demonstrate a renewed focused on ensuring delivery on its mandate to develop the South African ports and become an enabler for economic growth."
In the 2022/23 financial year, TNPA has adopted a robust approach in its capital projects delivery which will see the Central Region ports spending R570 million in port infrastructure development.
The strategic projects for this year include the relocation of the tank farm from Port Elizabeth to Ngqura; phase 1 of the Ngqura Manganese Export Terminal development; conducting a feasibility study for the reconstruction of East London’s Quay 3 and the construction of a slipway at the Port of Port Elizabeth.
