A 25-year lease covering approximately 55 hectares in the Port of Saldanha’s Southern Precinct has been signed by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and Freeport Saldanha to support port-linked industrial development.
The agreement provides long-term access to land for proposed projects spanning marine and bunkering services, manufacturing and energy infrastructure, including liquefied natural gas import and storage capacity, according to a joint statement issued on October 8.
Freeport Saldanha’s investment pipeline associated with the agreement is valued at approximately R6.9 billion. The projects remain under consideration with signed investor leases and construction still to follow.
“Investors commit capital where there is certainty and this lease provides it,” Freeport Saldanha CEO Xola Sithole said.
“With 25 years of secured port-linked land, Freeport Saldanha can now offer investors one coordinated package of industrial land and TNPA-facilitated access to port facilities. Our focus is to turn this agreement into signed investor leases, construction activity and jobs for Saldanha Bay and the wider West Coast.”
The lease follows the conclusion of a commercial terms framework between the two organisations, which established the foundation for the agreement.
Closer coordination between port activities and industrial development is expected to support future freight and logistics demand, according to the statement.
The agreement will strengthen the relationship between the port and the special economic zone, TNPA CEO Mohammed Abdool said.
“By strengthening the relationship between the Port of Saldanha and the special economic zone, we are creating a platform that will attract investment, support exports and unlock opportunities across the logistics value chain.”
Freeport Saldanha’s target sectors include marine and offshore services, energy, logistics and warehousing, manufacturing and engineering as well as agro-processing.
