Radebe vows to fast-track concessioning of Durban terminal

Congestion forces the issue Terry Hutson PUBLIC ENTERPRISES minister Jeff Radebe is set to fast-track the privatisation of Durban's container terminal. Briefing media ahead of his budget vote in parliament on Thursday, Radebe said congestion at the Durban terminal made it necessary to speed up the process and use the terminal as a pilot project for the privatisation process. "Durban is now unhappily classified as a congested port by all container shipping lines." Invitations to apply for the concession would be issued during the third quarter of this year. Chief executive officer of the National Ports Authority Siyabonga Gama welcomed the news. Speaking at a dinner for the International Harbour Masters' Association in Cape Town last week, he said the process would bring new international handling standards to the terminal, which would lead to much-needed relief from operational problems. The chairman of Transnet, Dr Bongani Khumalo, said it would be necessary to complete the regulatory framework process as soon as possible. "Potential investors should be able to operate within a well-defined and enabled terminal management environment to ensure uniformity and standardisation when other concessions are considered." The South African Transport & Allied Workers' Union (SATAWU) reacted with dismay to what they described as "a totally unacceptable unilateral announcement."