Ed Richardson
PLANS FOR the development of a deep-water harbour at Coega near Port Elizabeth were given the go-ahead because South Africa needed another deep-water port for future growth of the economy, according to Coega spokesman Raymond Hartle.
Coega is essential as an additional deep water port is needed in the country, says Coega communications manager Hartle. The ports at Richards Bay and Saldanha are the only deep-water ports at the moment he says.
The necessary land acquisition for the
14 000 hectare industrial zone that will be served by the port should be completed by mid 2000, according to Hartle. It is hoped that the rezoning of land for the project will be completed by the third quarter of this year and land broken in the fourth quarter.
The first factory to use the port will be completed at the same time as the harbour. The first exports are expected to flow from a Ferrostaal steel mill.
One of the reasons for the siting of the harbour at Coega is that it is equidistant to the major world markets. A deep water port close the main transport routes will attract major shipping groups, he says. Geologically the area is suitable because there is a natural deep-water channel leading into the port.
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