PE and Coega will complement each other

THERE IS a need for the development of a deep-water harbour at Coega, says NPA spokesperson Lize Hayward. "While using Port Elizabeth was considered an option for the IDZ, it would only offer a short-term solution. "With the current economic growth in South Africa, Durban and Cape Town, the two major container ports, are already nearing capacity and there is no room for expansion in these ports. "This scenario could soon spread to other ports, making the development of an eighth SA port a necessity. Because of this, the National Ports Authority decided that the best long-term solution was to develop a new port at Coega. The Port of Ngqura will address the future capacity needs," she says. Ngqura and the Port Elizabeth harbour will complement each other. "Apart from containers, the NPA will ensure no duplication of facilities and services in the ports of Ngqura and Port Elizabeth. For example, the fishing industry and slipway (for repair of fishing vessels) will only be in the Port of Port Elizabeth. "Both ports will be managed by the NPA of South Africa, which will ensure that no duplication will take place," she says.