THE ANNOUNCEMENT of a further “delay” in the building of an aluminium smelter in the Coega Industrial Development Zone is unlikely to have much immediate effect on plans for the port of Ngqura. FTW understands that Rio Tinto and the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) had not yet signed an agreement for the use of the existing Ngqura break bulk quay. Rio Tinto Alcan’s plans to delay its smelter will free up the TNPA to market the quay to other potential investors in the development zone and to exporters of iron ore, manganese and other commodities.
