TNPA mandated to contract private terminals

The private sector both here and abroad have been pushing for SA port facilities to be privatised – in a move away from state-owned and run which has always proved less efficient and seen encouraging moves towards privatisation worldwide.

But SA remains para-statal in thinking – with the pressures of organised labour to violently oppose even a twitch of privatisation invading that ideal.

But it’s all there in black and white in Section 56 – Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is actually mandated to privatise.

And that was pointed out by the new TNPA CE, Richard Vallihu, (perhaps a new man might bring new thinking) who brought it up at the announcement of the V&A Waterfront being the preferred bidder for the cruise terminal at the Port of Cape Town.

“As landlord and ports master planner, Section 56 of the National Ports Act mandates TNPA to contract with private terminal operators to design, construct, rehabilitate, develop, finance, maintain and operate port terminals or facilities,” he said.

The industry call is for more – much more.