PE watchers will keep an eye on Coega

PORT ELIZABETH correspondent Ed Richardson sees the “greening” of logistics as one of the biggest stories of 2007. “Everyone along the logistics chain is having to think smarter and work more efficiently. The challenges will continue as changing weather patterns and, more importantly, oil at $100 a barrel forces everyone from the trucker to the ship or aircraft owner to save fuel. “Here in the Eastern Cape we are also watching the effects of the port of Ngqura on shipping and logistics. Just what the effects on the existing harbours and supporting infrastructure in Port Elizabeth and East London are going to be are not clear. “What we will also be watching is the effects of politics on business. South Africa has had 13 years of relative political stability, which has allowed business to thrive. Splits within the ruling party are creating a climate of uncertainty – great for some types of business, but not for those which put money into massive plants that can’t be easily moved.”