TNPA spells out policy on pollution control contract

TRANSNET NATIONAL Ports Authority met yesterday (October 25) with Oil Pollution Control, the company that withdrew its services at Saldanha after failing to secure a service agreement. Piet Coetzee, CEO of the state enterprise affiliated to the Central Energy Fund, was hopeful a contract would be forthcoming. Oil Pollution Control, with equipment worth more than R150 million, has until now been the sole service provider at the port of Saldanha. Clearly, there appears to be mutual agreement that the matter be finalised, with Transnet extending the invitation to meet and talk. Eugene Kearns, TNPA port manager for Saldanha, told FTW just before going to press he believed it was necessary to “spread the risk” in the event of a major spillage, by engaging more than one service provider, which Transnet is in the process of sourcing. In an earlier interview (FTW October 5), he told FTW no single entity, the NPA included, would be able to handle a major crisis. But now he says even if one were able to do the job, it would take much longer to complete. ● FTW will report next week on the outcome of the talks.