Saudi Arabian ports operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal is considering bidding to develop and manage a fresh-produce terminal at the Port of Durban.
This comes after Transnet National Port Terminals issued a request for proposals for a terminal operator to plan, construct and operate a major new brownfield development in the port’s Maydon Wharf precinct.
The successful operator would be granted a concession to run the terminal for 25 years.
“Red Sea Gateway Terminal International is a keen investor in the South African ports and related sectors,” RSGTI director of Global Investments Gagan Seksaria said in an emailed response to questions.
Bloomberg reports Seksaria said the operator was considering participating in the tender together with potential local partners.
According to TNPA, the successful operator will be expected to run the terminal, handling fresh produce and compatible breakbulk cargo for a 25-year concession period – in line with Section 56 of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005 – to enhance the port’s efficiency and competitiveness.
The brownfield development site is in the Maydon Wharf precinct of the port, which has its landside area dedicated to commercial logistics, including warehousing and transport logistics-related activities. It spans approximately 145 hectares, features 15 berths, and has capacity of over seven million tonnes of cargo annually.
RSGTI is also evaluating multiple concession and acquisition opportunities in other parts of Africa, focusing on multipurpose terminals that handle mining freight and food cargo, Seksaria said.