Co-ordination is key to reaping benefits of project boom

South Africa’s project cargo
industry is being severely
challenged by the historical
lack of attention to succession
management from a general
transport point of view.
This means that through
the transport industry there
is a severe shortage of
experienced, project-related
staff who are knowledgeable in
the field, says Lars M Greiner,
MACS project manager for
southern Africa.
From a Transnet point of
view, he says, there appears
to be a lack of overall coordination
between the various
elements and companies
within the parastatal. “Often
one organisation comes
out with a regulation that
contradicts the practices of
another that Transnet already
has in place. It is important
to have some national plan
relating to how project
cargoes, specifically those
key to national development,
should be handled.”
He says while Macs is
fortunate to have a largely
stable and established team
of staff who work on any
project cargoes, these are
all challenges affecting the
industry at present.
“There is a huge amount
of growth into Africa, and
South African companies are
at the helm. I believe the trade
between South Africa and the
rest of Africa presents a unique
opportunity for South African
growth and development,
especially when it comes to the
project sector,” Greiner told
FTW, making it even more
essential to find solutions to
the challenges posed.
With the South African
mining houses leading the
way into Africa – along
with oil now found in the
north of Mozambique and
the coal developments in the
area – there is opportunity
everywhere.
“I believe we will see
Mozambique become a
significant destination in the
southern African projects
sector in the near future,” says
Greiner. “The DRC remains
a booming market, while
the ongoing power station
developments for Eskom
continue to ensure a steady
stream of project cargoes into
South Africa. The projected
development of Durban port
and Transnet Freight Rail
plans also bode well for further
growth in South Africa.”
He says another huge
opportunity remains the
development of green energy
sources, with several windmill
and solar projects seemingly
ready to go.