The Port of Port Elizabeth was being positioned as the leading automotive hub for sub-Saharan Africa, Transnet National Ports Authority CEO Tau Morwe said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the inaugural Eastern Cape Ports and Maritime Conference in Port Elizabeth, Morwe said that just over R2.1 billion that would be invested in the port over the next seven years would see the automotive terminal relocated to the southern precinct of the port and expanded.
In addition, the container terminal would be expanded "with deepened berths".
Morwe said short-terms plans for the port also included the expansion of the fishing and boat repair facilities and land development for commercial use a waterfront development for which a feasibility study has been initiated by the Mandela Bay Development Agency and funded by the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
With regard to the Port of East London, he said R2.4 billion would be invested over the next seven years that would see the capacity of the containers terminal expanded as well as the construction of a new coal export terminal.
Morwe said the "fully enclosed" facility would be able to handle two million tonnes a year by 2017/18.
No date has yet been set for the first shipment of coal from the Elitheni Mine out of East London as a result of delays caused by problems with the washing plant.
In a recent statement, Strategic Natural Resources, the major share-holder in the mine, said new export dates were currently being negotiated.
Earlier, Transnet Port Terminals CEO Karl Socikwa said that the coal terminal would cost R300 million.
He said a public-private-partnership was also being considered for the grain elevator and silos.
(Source: Metro Minute to subscribe mail metminutes@iafrica.com)
