‘TNPA must market SA as a maritime hub’ – Morwe

Transnet National Ports Authority must take responsibility for growing the South African ports business, as it has abdicated this task to Transnet Port Terminals for far too long. Speaking at a recent transport forum in Port Elizabeth, TNPA CEO Tau Morwe said that for far too long they had not been focused on growing their business. “When last did we introduce a new terminal?” he asked. “We only have an acting leader in place and about three people in the division that are tasked with growing our business. It is the Port Authority’s job to sell the ports and their efficiency to the world.” He said when the Port of Singapore marketed itself to the world they marketed Singapore. “The same can be said of many of the ports in the world. In South Africa, though, we have abdicated this role to TPT. They are the operators and we should not forget that.” According to Morwe, the Eastern Cape was in the unique position that it had two ports in the region, creating a competitive advantage. “We as TNPA should be going out and telling the world about this and about what is happening here. We should use it to our advantage to create more volume and throughput here.” He said the last great act of TNPA was the building of Ngqura. “We should realise that we have the unique opportunity to position South Africa as a maritime hub in the global sense and the Port of Ngqura plays a critical role in that. It is why we are taking a more focused approach and strategy in 2011 and 2012. It is a team effort between us and our stakeholders. There is no sense in building this expensive infrastructure and then saying it is not our responsibility if it is not working properly. We can’t pass the buck any more.” Morwe said it was important to look at the big picture when deciding on projects to ensure an integrated ports system. “As a country we are soon going to need to import gas, and for that we will need a new terminal, but we can’t just put one up. We have to look at where will be the most effective place. We have to reach a point where we are making the right investments in the right places at the right times.” He said it was all about creating the ports as integrated gateways for trade that would see South Africa reach a greater potential.