Latest news with #NkumbuziBen-Mazwi
Business Insider
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Historic moment as South African port hosts the largest-ever container ship
The Port of Durban, in South Africa has made history with the arrival of the MSC Rifaya, the largest container ship to ever dock at a South African port. The MSC Rifaya, the largest container ship to dock in South Africa, made an unscheduled stop at Durban port Measuring nearly 400m in length and weighing over 200,000 metric tonnes, this vessel has a capacity exceeding 19,400 TEUs. This event demonstrates the world-class infrastructure and emergency handling capabilities of the Port of Durban. The ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) arrived at Durban port, South Africa on Monday, June 9, making an unscheduled stop for emergency repairs after sailing in from Ashdod, Israel. The MSC Rifaya, a ship measuring nearly 400 meters in length and weighing over 200,000 metric tonnes, is classified among the world's largest container vessels. With a reported capacity of 19,437 to 19,466 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), it has surpassed all previous records set by container vessels entering South African waters. The berthing of the massive vessel was a complex operation that involved four harbour tugs. Port officials confirmed that the Rifaya will remain at the port until at least Thursday, June 13, before continuing its journey to Singapore. According to Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, Acting Port Manager at the Port of Durban, the successful docking, despite being unscheduled, demonstrates not only the port's world-class infrastructure but also its flexibility and readiness to handle emergency berthings. He described the event as evidence that South Africa possesses the maritime expertise required to operate at a global standard. Ben-Mazwi further praised the teamwork of marine pilots, tug masters, and engineers who coordinated the berthing process with precision. Key personnel involved in the operation included MSC South Africa's Operations Director, Captain Ian Rosario, and Transnet National Ports Authority's Harbour Master, Captain Brynn Adamson. The vessel was piloted into the port by Captain Ian Waddell, assisted by senior marine pilots Captain Mathilda Lekala and Captain Thokozani Mthethwa. Shipping milestone for SA's Durban port The arrival of the MSC Rifaya is being celebrated as a milestone for the country's maritime sector. Port authorities and shipping stakeholders say the successful handling of the vessel places the Port of Durban in a stronger position to compete with major global ports such as Singapore, Rotterdam, and Shanghai. It also boosts the port's reputation as a key gateway for regional and international trade. The event comes at a time when Transnet and South Africa's shipping sector are under pressure to improve logistics efficiency. The ability to berth and service vessels of this magnitude, especially on short notice, is being viewed as a positive indicator that the country can handle the growing demands of global commerce.
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transnet calls for proposals to enhance Durban port with new fresh produce terminal
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said in a statement on Monday that they had issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to construct a multi-purpose terminal (MPT) to handle fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo. Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to construct a multi-purpose terminal (MPT) to handle fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo at the Port of Durban. TNPA on Monday said that the RFP will be for the appointment of a terminal operator to design, develop, fund, construct, operate, maintain and transfer an MPT handling fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo for a 25-year concession period at the port. 'The issuing of this RFP is in accordance with Section 56 of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005 to enhance the port's efficiency and competitiveness,' it said. 'This brownfield development is earmarked for the Maydon Wharf precinct of the port, which has its landside area dedicated to commercial logistics, including warehousing and transport logistics-related activities.' The port spans approximately 145 hectares, features 15 berths and has a capacity of more than seven million tons of cargo annually. Situated at the western extent of the port, the precinct is primarily a mixed-use precinct that hosts cargo terminals handling dry bulk, break bulk, a limited amount of liquid bulk and containerised units. Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, acting TNPA port manager for the Port of Durban, said that this multi-purpose terminal RFP was a pivotal development for the port. 'It will enhance the port's competitiveness to support the domestic and international supply chain while aligning with Transnet's goals to increase cargo volumes and ultimately lead to economic growth and job creation in the region,' Ben-Mazwi said. Malcolm Hartwell, Norton Rose Fulbright director and master mariner, said that TNPA's recent RFP reflected its continued commitment to privatisation. 'The Port of Durban was, for decades, the primary port for the export of fresh produce, in particular, citrus from Mpumalanga. The fresh produce terminal has fallen into disrepair and, as a result, lost most of the trade to containerisation and the neighbouring countries,' he said. Hartwell added that the private sector has been pushing Transnet to allow the private sector to operate various terminals in various ports, with Transnet playing the role of landlord. 'The private sector enjoys the expertise to operate specialist terminals and has the capacity to develop them. TNPA, for well-documented reasons, lacks the expertise and the capacity and, burdened with massive capital debt, has been unable to maintain the existing facilities or develop new ones.' Hartwell said that the RFP was accordingly good news, not only for Transnet but also for the future users of a terminal of this nature and South Africa's economy. 'The benefit of having a terminal of this nature is that it will provide competition to similar terminals in Namibia and Mozambique and attract specialist refrigerated ships to South African ports. Those ships will obviously contribute both to Transnet and the economy's coffers,' he said. BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Transnet opens bidding for Durban multi-purpose terminal concession
The operator will be in charge of handling fresh produce and break bulk. Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has opened the bidding process for a terminal operator to take over the design, funding, construction, and long-term management of a multi-purpose terminal at the Port of Durban. The concession will run for 25 years and will focus on handling fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo, Transnet said on Monday. This comes as Transnet has already awarded the tender for the concession of Durban Container Terminal's Pier 2 – SA's biggest shipping container handling facility – to Philippine ports giant International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) as part of a joint-venture deal. However, ICTSI and Transnet have been taken to court by a disgruntled losing bidder, which has delayed the project. Cash-strapped Transnet is looking for more private sector participation in SA's major ports as a way to unlock much-needed multi-billion-rand investment into port infrastructure. ALSO READ: 'Spurious' legal battle over Durban port threatens SA economy It said the request for proposals (RFP) for the Durban multi-purpose terminal, issued on Monday, falls under Section 56 of the National Ports Act and aims to boost operational efficiency and competitiveness at South Africa's busiest port. The project is earmarked for the Maydon Wharf precinct, a 145-hectare zone with 15 berths and capacity to handle over seven million tons of cargo annually. 'This multi-purpose terminal request for proposals is a pivotal development for the Port of Durban. It will enhance the port's competitiveness to support the domestic and international supply chain while aligning with Transnet's goals to increase cargo volumes and ultimately lead to economic growth and job creation in the region,' said Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, acting TNPA port manager for the Port of Durban. ALSO READ: How to fix Transnet's ports in the interest of economic growth The Maydon Wharf area is primarily a mixed-use precinct, accommodating terminals for dry bulk, break bulk, limited liquid bulk, and some container cargo. The new operator will be expected to maintain and transfer the terminal at the end of the concession period. Interested parties can access RFP documents through the National Treasury's e-tender portal or the Transnet website. Transnet said a non-compulsory briefing session will take place on Wednesday at 10am at N-Shed, 2 Quayside Road, Port of Durban. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
