Transnet has recognised
that the private sector has
a role to play in the Durban
dig-out port (DDOP).
“There is a need to
involve the private sector
in back-of-port activities,”
Ivindra Naidoo, Transnet’s
GM for group strategy, said
at last week’s investment
roadshow organised by
the Durban Chamber
of Commerce for the
eThekwini Municipality.
He also confirmed their
involvement in investment
as he pointed out a need
to “leverage the private
sector”.
Naidoo is also a
proponent of the
immediacy of the need for
the DDOP.
He pointed out that
Transnet expected a 4%
annual growth in port
volumes, compounded over
the next 30-year period. This
combined with the fact that
the present Port of Durban
handles 60% of all the
country’s imports and exports.
“Another problem is that
ships are getting bigger,”
he said, “and the Port of
Durban was designed
some time ago. We’re
able to handle up to 3rd
generation vessels, with
a draught of 11.8-12.5
metres. But the shipping
lines want to call with
even bigger vessels up to
14.5-15m draught, because
bigger ships translate to
lower costs per TEU. And
we need the infrastructure
that can handle these
vessels.”
He pointed out that
there were a number of
alternatives in expanding
Durban’s volume capacity.
At present the options for
future development are
Pier 1 and Maydon Wharf.
Transnet also looked at
digging out the Bayhead
and the DDOP on the DIA
site.
“What is the best
option?” Naidoo asked.
In the short- to mediumterm,
he added, the
capacity options are the
Salisbury Island “lite” plan.
That is the development
of container capacity on
the present space, once the
SA Navy hands it over to
Transnet. That, according
to Naidoo, would provide
added capacity for 0.5m
TEUs.
The second is the
Salisbury Island “infill”
plan. That is the filling in
of the basin between the
two outside piers of the
present naval base, and
providing extra capacity for
1.4m-1.8m TEUs.
“We have decided we
will do these short-term
options, then go to the
DDOP,” Naidoo said.
And the viability study,
he added, proves the worth
of the DDOP. “Averaged
over 30 years, it will
contribute R16.5 billion
per annum to the national
economy, and R11.3bn
to KZN’s gross domestic
product (GDP).”
CAPTION
The 12 562-TEU MSC Fabiola … Durban port needs to cater for increasingly larger vessels.
