New freight terminal planned for JIA

Four projects on Acsa planning board Alan Peat AIRPORTS COMPANY SA (Acsa), is currently busy with four separate projects - all precursors to its ambitious plan to build a dedicated freight terminal at Johannesburg International Airport (JIA). Acsa has invested R36 million in the first three projects. The company has just purchased the existing perishable cargo area and is currently busy refurbishing this 5 500-sqm area. A second project is the first step in developing a logistics park at JIA designed to house small and medium-sized logistics operators in international trade. This initial development is a 1 700sqm area, with the US-owned freight forwarders, Concordia, as the first tenant. Third in the pipeline is the development of an 8 846-sqm cargo handling warehouse for Swissport subsidiary, CSC. According to information released to FTW by Acsa press officer, Solomon Makgale, the latter two projects have been given to the developers, who will be starting construction shortly. Meantime, an off-shoot of the freight terminal plan - and an expected generator of extra exports of manufactured goods - is a 190-hectare industrial development zone (IDZ) at JIA. This, FTW was told, is a project between Acsa, the parastatal Denel, and Blue IQ - Gauteng province’s economic development arm. But negotiations are still at an early stage. As are the plans for the new freight terminal, although the pressures of fast growing demand for freight capacity is already being felt, with JIA having handled 300 000 tons of freight in its last financial year, ended March 31. The cargo activities are presently concentrated in the cargo terminal - which is situated in what is described as Precinct 2 of the airport. This area is fast reaching its maximum development capacity, FTW was told, and plans are under way to expand the cargo activities to adjacent areas. The JIA Logistics Centre and a cargo de-grouping facility are to be developed in Precinct 3, and the mid-field cargo terminal is planned for in Precinct 4. Makgale added that Precinct 8 had been set aside for Acsa Park, designed for logistics-related business activities, offices and light industrial operations.