Durban and Transnet lock horns over port expansion

NEWS THAT Transnet has placed on hold the proposed excavation of the Bayhead to create a new container terminal has been greeted with dismay and concern by stakeholders in Durban. A Durban newspaper recently confirmed what many stakeholders already knew – that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) had been abandoned to allow Transnet to examine other alternatives. A statement issued by Transnet and quoted by the paper said that feasibility studies had concluded that any expansion into the Bayhead would prove very costly and that Transnet had therefore decided first to investigate other opportunities for expansion on the east coast, such as at Richards Bay or Coega. The news has however been slammed by city authorities. Durban city manager Michael Sutcliffe told a Sunday paper that the unilateral suspension gave him no confidence that plans to expand Durban’s capacity were on track and the city was completely opposed to what had been done and the process followed. Transnet spokesperson Gaynor Kast said in a media release on Friday that plans to expand the port capacity were on track, contrary to the newspaper article. She said there were various feasibility studies under way to determine the most effective way of addressing the fastgrowing container handling facilities along the east coast. The EIA concerning the Bayhead area, which she said was at an advanced stage, was on hold but there were numerous other proposals for container expansion that were aligned to the overall transport plan for the port of Durban. As far as FTW is aware the EIA process around the Bayhead project had only just begun with only one public preliminary meeting having been held prior to the EIA process. Kast said that Transnet NPA was involved in on-going discussions with the various stakeholders including the City of eThekwini (Durban). Sutcliffe however said he had not been consulted about Transnet’s plans.