TNPA to invest R13b in Saldanha facilities

The Port of Saldanha Bay has been earmarked for three projects that are focused on off-shore activities, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) general manager: strategy, Nico Walters, told delegates at last week’s Logistics Business Breakfast in Johannesburg. It’s part of government’s Operation Phakisa initiative, said Walters, pointing out that the opportunity to create strategic off-shore, value-added developments at South African ports was being driven by major developments in oil and gas in southern Africa. He said the three projects collectively amounted to around R13 billion. “Development of the projects will be fast-tracked and we hope to have them operational within two to three years, but at least by 2020,” Walters said. The respective projects will go out to tender this year. The first of the three developments will include a quay which will serve as a supply base for off-shore oil and gas rigs. Secondly, a new berth – Berth 205 – is already under construction and will serve as a dedicated rig repair facility. Lastly, a new jetty will be constructed to handle repairs for smaller vessels, said Walters. “We are extremely optimistic that these new developments will help grow South Africa as a global shiprepair hub. We also believe that Saldanha Bay is ideally located to serve the growing oil and gas industry,” he commented. Walters pointed out that a new vessel repair facility could also be built at the Port of Richards Bay. “We need to do more feasibility studies before we can come up with a design though,” he said. The business breakfast was a joint initiative of the Southern Africa Shippers Transport and Logistics Council (SASTALC) and the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). INSERT & CAPTION We are extremely optimistic that these new developments will help grow South Africa as a global ship-repair hub. – Nico Walters