Phiwokuhle Mothemela
The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has unveiled a R240 million ship-to-shore crane at the Port of Port Elizabeth. She said one of her mandates when she assumed her role was to get the logistics department up and running.
During Monday's unveiling, the minister was flanked by the province's premier, Oscar Mabuyane, the MEC for transport, Xolile Nqatha, NMB mayor Babalwa Lobishe, and the leadership of Transnet.
Creecy said the new crane was designed to improve productivity. It can move about 30 containers per hour and withstand wind speeds of 90km per hour.
”We believe that investment in critical equipment is crucial to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness. Such investments catalyse a more efficient, competitive and resilient environment in an increasingly interconnected global economy. Transnet’s efficiency is the cornerstone of South Africa’s stability and economic growth,” Creecy said.
She adds that Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) invested R3,4 billion in the previous financial year to improve infrastructure across its terminals, including Durban, Richards Bay, East London, Cape Town, Gqeberha, and Saldanha Bay.
In the future, TPT is expected to spend an average of about R4 billion per financial year on overhauling equipment as part of its bold five-year investment plan.
“The purchase of new equipment has also been tied to a new long-term contracting model with original equipment manufacturers (OEMS), and original parts suppliers. Long-term collaboration with OEMs will drive significant benefits for Transnet.
"These include enhanced equipment performance and reliability, spares support, asset life cycle management, innovation, as well as equipment, spares, and component standardization,” Creecy said.
Transnet Chairperson, Dr Andile Sangqu said: “The arrival of the Ship-to-Shore crane represents far more than just a logistical milestone; it symbolises Transnet’s unwavering commitment to efficiency and reliability. Investments in critical equipment are central to Transnet’s drive to overcome operational hurdles, improve efficiency and fulfil its crucial role in South Africa’s logistics ecosystem.”
Meanwhile, Premier Mabuyane called on Transnet to be more deliberate and more ambitious about its investments in the province.
Premier Mabuyane highlighted six major infrastructure projects he believes will turn the province's economy around. These are:
"These projects are all critical for economic growth and job creation in the Eastern Cape. We must record our uneasy on any attempts to change the decision of having Head Office here in Gqeberha. Because having Head Office here is a developmental decision on its own," Mabuyane said.
