New inland port ‘an absolute necessity’

The Tambo Springs Freight
and Logistics Hub is not a
nice to have, but an absolute
necessity – not only for
Gauteng but South Africa at
large.
This is according to
consultant Franco Eleuri
who has been involved in the
project for the past few years.
“Gauteng as the economic
hub of South Africa needs an
inland port,” he said. “At least
70% of cargo out of Durban is
destined for Gauteng.
He said City Deep,
visionary at its time, had
reached maturity in what it
could do and offer industry
while its location was a major
hindrance.
“If one looks at
international inland ports
that are doing exceptionally
well one will find they are
always on the periphery of a
city on a road or rail loop.
“Expanding City Deep is
not an option and if we are
going to be internationally
competitive then Gauteng
has to have an inland port,”
he said.
Looking at timelines, he
said internationally it took
at least five years for these
types of projects to get off the
ground and get buy-in from
all stakeholders as they almost
always involved both the
private and public sectors.
Eleuteri, who is based
in the United States, also
consulted on the Dube Trade
Port at the King Shaka
International Airport.