Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has appointed FFS Tank Terminals as the preferred bidder to refurbish and operate a R102 million liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Cape Town.
The ports authority said on Friday that it had selected the bidder for the terminal, which specialises in edible oils and compatible cargo, to operate it for a 25-year concession period. The brownfield development covers approximately 6 289 m² within the port’s liquid bulk precinct.
TNPA said the projected investment, including capital and maintenance costs, was R102 million.
“FFS Tank Terminals will finance, construct, operate and maintain the liquid bulk terminal and transfer it back to TNPA at the end of the concession period. The work includes upgrading storage tanks to enhance structural integrity and repurposing the existing import pipeline, which is currently used for vegetable and edible oils,” TNPA said.
The improvements are expected to enhance the throughput of vegetable oils and specialty chemicals through the port.
The investment will further focus on repurposing the Nautilus facility as well as upgrading gantry and receiving systems. Once upgraded, the import pipeline at the terminal will handle additional new cargo types such as caustic soda lye and monoethylene glycol.
TNPA general manager for commercial services, Dineo Mazibuko, said the modernisation of this liquid bulk terminal was part of TNPA’s strategic shift towards diversification in response to evolving market demands.
“It ensures the security of supply of industrial and food service supplies while meeting new market demands for importation of specialty chemicals,” Mazibuko said.
“This is a vital contribution to economic stability while optimising infrastructure utilisation and the commercial viability of our seaports.”
This milestone follows the successful conclusion of the Section 56 process under the National Ports Act of 2005.
FFS Tank Terminals is a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor, bringing over two decades of experience in liquid bulk terminal operations. The company operates multiple manufacturing sites, storage facilities and tank farms across the country.
