Latest news with #TransnetNationalPortsAuthority
eNCA
04-07-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Largest container vessel docks at port of Ngqura
GQEBERHA - The world's largest container vessel, MSC Nicola Mastro, is docking in South African waters. Transnet National Ports Authority says its inaugural docking at the Port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape is a momentous and historical occasion. The massive container vessel is 400 metres long, with a 61.5 metre wide beam. It carries just over 24,000 containers.
Daily Maverick
29-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Transnet seeks liquid bulk terminal proposals for Port of Ngqura
Transnet National Ports Authority has issued a Request for Proposals for the appointment of a terminal operator to fund, design, develop, construct, operate, maintain and eventually transfer a liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura, for a concession period of 25 years. In what Transnet described as the first step to move the tank farm at the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura, the parastatal has issued a request for proposals from operators to run a new tank farm at the new location. 'The RFP is a ground-breaking milestone in the relocation of the tank farm from the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura, in line with approved port development plans. The move comes as Transnet is implementing its Reinvent for Growth Strategy, which seeks to transform and grow the business. The new terminal will include liquid bulk storage tanks, road tanker loading gantries, pipelines and the necessary terminal operation infrastructure,' the statement reads. It continued that the landside operation of the proposed terminal was earmarked for the port's liquid bulk precinct located at the eastern extents of the back of port land adjacent to the N2. 'Future developments planned for this precinct will be further developed for energy-related commodities such as liquefied natural gas,' the statement said. '[The new terminal] is intended to foster regional and national economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability,' said acting general manager for commercial services at TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority), Dr Dineo Mazibuko. 'TNPA takes pride in the Port of Ngqura being the only South African commercial seaport in possession of an environmental authorisation for its port operation. In keeping with this green status, the appointed terminal operator will ensure compliance with all relevant environmental, safety and regulatory standards,' Mazibuko said. Decades in the making The moving of the tank farm from the Port of Port Elizabeth has been decades in the making. In 2011, the transfer of the tank farm was stalled due to 'insufficient customer commitment'. Eleven years later, responding to a parliamentary question in 2022, former minister of public enterprises, the late Pravin Gordhan, explained the reason for further delays: 'The delay in the relocation of the fuel tank farm was due to the inability of an operator that was appointed in terms of Section 56 of the National Ports Act, to achieve a commercially viable business case for the proposed terminal, and thus a decision was taken to discontinue the project. 'Subsequently, Transnet supported the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) in developing the liquid bulk facilities in Zone 5 of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in view of the advanced progress the CDC had made with the development of their liquid bulk storage facility. 'The Transnet National Ports Authority has given termination notice to Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd, Engen Petroleum Ltd, and Total Energies Marketing South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Oil Majors) who operate the Liquid Bulk Terminal in the Port of Port Elizabeth, effective 30 April 2022. As a result of this termination notice, the Oil Majors have lodged an appeal to the Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA) contesting this termination. 'A firm timeline for the relocation cannot be determined until such time that: TNPA and Astron settle the PRSA matter. There is a firm commitment from the Oil Majors to commit to commercial offtakes with the CDC or a liquid bulk storage facility operator appointed by the implementing agent, CDC. 'In October 2020, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) issued a Remediation Order in terms of Part 8 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act of 2008. This Remediation Order will regulate how the Oil Majors will undertake the decommissioning and remediation of the Port of Port Elizabeth's liquid bulk terminal. TNPA has initiated negotiations to conclude a Decommissioning and Remediation Exit Agreement. 'The Oil Majors have cited that this Agreement cannot be finalised without the PRSA appeal being determined and for realistic timelines for the relocation to the Port of Ngqura/CDC SEZ being agreed to,' Gordhan said at the time. DM
IOL News
28-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transnet approaches market for new liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said on Friday that it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a Terminal Operator to fund, design, develop, construct, operate, maintain and transfer a liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura, for a concession period of 25 years. The RFP is a ground-breaking milestone in the relocation of the tank farm from the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura, in line with approved port development plans. The move comes as Transnet is implementing its Reinvent for Growth Strategy, which seeks to transform and grow the business. The new terminal will include liquid bulk storage tanks, road tanker loading gantries, pipelines and the necessary terminal operation infrastructure.
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
