Logistics efficiency at Dube ramped up

KZN Economic Development
and Tourism MEC Mike
Mabuyukhulu last week
officially opened a new dual
carriageway that is expected
to ramp up logistics capacity
to the Dube TradePort and
unlock the next phases of the
development as a platform
for exporters to grow global
markets.
Addressing local investors
and developers at the official
opening at Dube TradePort
in La Mercy, Mabuyakhulu
said the R239-million road
was a demonstration of the
government’s “unshakeable
commitment to invest in the
infrastructure” crucial for the
economic development of the
country.
He said the new 3.25km
International Trade Avenue,
which links the northern
part of the development to
the N2 and R102 motorways
via Ushukela Highway,
would immediately improve
logistics efficiencies by
allowing for greater traffic
volumes to the site which
the government last year
declared an Industrial
Development Zone.
“The road also creates
long-term development
spin-offs in which many of
Dube TradePort’s flagship
investments will be located.
These include Trade Zone
Two, the airside and
aeronautical platform and
the uShukela mixed use
precinct,” Mabuyakhulu said.
Mabuyakhulu said phase
one of the development,
Africa’s first purpose built
aerotropolis, had now been
completed and phase two
would see 51 hectares of
industrial development land
come on stream in 2017.
Dube TradePort
chairwoman Dr Bridgette
Gasa said the road was a
“major milestone” in the
port’s 50-year masterplan
to cater for long-term
requirements such as rail
and public transport as well
as the future aircraft cross
taxiway.