New dig-out port vital - Descoins

Construction of the new
Durban dig-out port is due
to start in late 2016/17 if
all goes according to plan
– with the acquisition of all
remaining properties to be
completed by 2014.
That’s according to
programme director
Mark Descoins who told
delegates at last week’s Saaff
conference in Johannesburg
that a new port was vital.
“If we don’t make this
happen, we will lose out on a
chance to compete with our
neighbours on the global
stage,” he said.
According to Descoins,
studies conducted by
Transnet show that
container demand is set to
grow from the 2012 figure
of 2.7 million TEUs to
around 9-12 million TEUs
by 2040 – although the
expectation is towards the
lower end of R9 million
TEUs.
Add to that the expected
dramatic increase in vessel
sizes over the next 30 years
– with 22 000 TEUers
possible by 2042 – and
it’s clear that SA needs an
alternative port, he said.
It will be developed over
four phases with each phase
contributing an additional
2.4 million TEUs of
capacity.
And while many “serious
players” have shown
an interest in project
investment, Descoins says
they will not commit until
they understand all the risks
“Critical to the success of
the venture is the upgrade
of the rail corridor, logistics
infrastructure development
around the port and
industry buy-in," he said.