Growing call for private sector participation

There is a definite need for private sector participation in expanding infrastructure as SA’s exports of coal and iron ore continue to rise, according to Transnet director for planning (ports) David Stromberg. This confirmed the resurrection of public/private partnerships (PPPs) revealed to FTW by Chris Matchett, another Transnet ports planning executive. A study, due to be finished towards the end of this year, will define plans to expand the Richards Bay rail corridor for coal exports beyond 81-million tonnes, Stromberg added, and to further extend Transnet’s current expansion of the capacity on its iron ore line to Saldanha Bay to 60-mt from the current 44.7-mt. He said the company would increase capacity for iron ore exports at Saldanha port to 80-mt a year and was also studying ways to build a 12-mt per year manganese terminal.