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.