Rail link would sweeten Coega concession

RAY SMUTS THE COLLAPSE some time back of negotiations between P&O Nedlloyd and Transnet over the Coega container terminal notwithstanding, that is not the last word on the subject from the carrier. “We are not in talks with Transnet at the present time but are still interested in Coega; it does not only have to involve the container terminal but also rail,” says Bert Muys, MD of P&O Nedlloyd in Southern Africa. Indonesian-born Muys, for 12 years a seafarer (second mate) before settling for terra firma, admits to a tad of uncertainty as to what the transport parastatal’s exact plans are for Coega and other ports. “Transnet are talking concessioning, but I do not understand what they mean by that. Do they mean tendering or that they are going to remain partly involved? “As I understand it, what they are saying is ‘we are not accepting private monopolies', which seems to make clear Sapo is interested in maintaining its majority interest in the terminals, like a joint venture, really.” Muys is certain other players will also be interested in involvement in the Coega container terminal, among them possibly Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), P&O Ports, Hutchison Whampoa and APM Terminals. “I still think Coega represents an opportunity but for it to be viable it must have a rail link to Gauteng, the major market. “We would hope private industry will develop and bring the container terminal up to standard and work it to efficient standards, really what Sapo is trying to achieve.” As to whether P&O Nedlloyd would prefer to operate the terminal on its own or in conjunction with Sapo were it to be declared preferred candidate, Muys laughs: "That is a difficult question. We would look at every possibility but doing it alone as a company would be preferable.”