Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is continuing its search for private-sector partners to help bring operations in the Durban port back to competitive levels.In May, TNPA invited proposals from private operators for the Maydon Wharf multipurpose terminal.Potential operators have until 9 June to submit their proposals to build, operate and transfer the operation of the 154-hectare precinct. The port is served by 15 berths and has a current annual capacity of more than seven milliontons of agricultural dry bulk and compatible bulk and breakbulk cargo.The request for proposals (RFP) states that concession holders must be able to handle fertiliser. It excludes all mineral commodities.Saudi Arabian ports operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal International (RSGTI) is reportedly considering bidding in partnership with local companies.The RFP was published at a time when an earlier attempt to concession the Pier 2 container terminal was still in court. Maersk is contesting the appointment of Filipino company International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) as the terminal operator.ICTSI was named the preferred bidder for the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 (DCT2) concession on 11 April 2023.At stake, according to an ICTSI statement, is a commitment to invest R12 billion, compared to Maersk’s R9.2 billion offer for the concession.The dispute has stalled the upgrading of South Africa’s main trading gateway.Transnet reported that DCT2 processed 1.7 million TEUs in the 2023/24 financial year, while DCT Pier 1 processed 650 000 TEUs.Together, the two terminals handled 60% of South Africa’s container volumes. Transnet has invested billions in the port over the past 15 years. Between 2010 and 2019, about R33 billion was spent to bring the theoretical potential of the terminals to 4.9 million TEUs a year. This included deepening the berths, installing new gantries and modernising the Pier 1 and Pier 2 terminals.More recent investments include about R1.5 billion spent to replace ageing infrastructure in the Durban terminal. This has included the purchase of more than 100 new machines, such as straddle carriers and rubber-tyred gantry cranes, which are due to come into service sometime this year.Components for the first two of four new Liebherr ship-to-shore container cranes for Pier 2 were off loaded in May 2025. The four gantries are expected to be operational by November 2025.Other investments include R8.5 billion on rail network upgrades linking the port to inland logistics hubs. ER
