The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) is forging ahead with the development of a land-based Aquaculture Development Zone (ADZ) to meet the rising global demand for seafood, which is expected to see production double by 2050.
CDC business development manager, Dr Keith Du Plessis, said in a statement that Coega was actively engaging with investors for the 440-hectare greenfield development, which had now completed its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and was expected to break ground in 2022.
The project, which has been in the pipeline for the past decade, will be one of the largest land-based ADZs on a single geographical footprint in South Africa.
It will position South Africa to compete with Asia, which is forecast to meet most global demand for seafood.
“The CDC is currently engaging potential aquaculture investors seeking to develop their businesses in the Coega ADZ.
"We hope to break ground on the first aquaculture investment project in the 2022/23 financial year.
"This will be a significant milestone in the CDC's journey to create a world-class investment location for aquaculture investors that will contribute significantly to the economy of the NMBM (Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality) and the larger Eastern Cape,” Du Plessis said.
"The Corporation had received environmental authorisation to develop and operate the ADZ in February 2018," he added.
This allows companies to farm close to 40 marine and freshwater species in the zone, without undertaking an additional independent EIA.
However, investors must develop an environmental management plan that covers the requirements of the larger environmental management programme for the ADZ.
He said the CDC had started construction of enabling infrastructure in Zone 10 of the SEZ to unlock approximately 100 ha (Phase 1) of the ADZ in August 2020.
“The construction includes the development of road, electrical and stormwater infrastructure, unlocking sites for both marine and freshwater aquaculture.
This means that aquaculture investors can focus on developing their core business rather than raising capital for bulk infrastructure,” Du Plessis said.
The Coega SEZ is served by two ports, with a combined capacity of over two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) a year.
The Coega ADZ is located adjacent to the Port of Ngqura, which has 2100 reefer plug points crucial for cold-chain maintenance. The ADZ is also located approximately 25km from the Port of Port Elizabeth, with approximately 1000 reefer plug points.
“Both ports are served by the world's major shipping lines.
"The ADZ is directly linked to the N2 arterial highway, which connects the SEZ to the rest of the region.
"The SEZ is further connected with the rest of South Africa and neighbouring countries through a rail connection,” he said.
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (DSIA) is approximately 30km from the ADZ and provides connectivity for national and international passengers and freight.
“This is particularly important for investors seeking to transport cargo to global markets via airfreight, for example exporting live abalone to China.
"A flight between DSIA and OR Tambo International Airport is an approximate duration of one hour and 40 minutes and is serviced by several airlines,” Du Plessis said, adding that research had shown that land-based aquaculture was expected to see continued growth to meet increased market demand as the global demand for seafood continued to grow.
“It is predicted that by 2050, the production and volumes from aquaculture, particularly around Asia, will double and be the main supply of aquatic dietary protein globally.”
