There are plans for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to release a series of requests for proposals (RFPs) in the coming months for terminal prospects at a number of the country’s commercial ports. And these will include the long-awaited tenders for cruise terminals at the ports of Cape Town and Durban, where the old terminals are now totally outdated. TNPA, in its role as ports’ landlord, told FTW that it would release the tenders in line with Section 56 of the National Ports Act (NPA). This, it added, allows it to contract with private terminal operators to design, construct, rehabilitate, develop, finance, maintain and operate port terminals or facilities. The operators are due to be selected through a competitive bidding process and the term of the operating licence could be between 20 and 25 years. According to Lauriette Sesoko, GM commercial and marketing, the tender for a cruise terminal facility at the Port of Cape Town was reissued on December 8 and a similar process would be pursued at the Port of Durban. The Cape Town tender closes on February 5. Also on the planning board are tenders for floating docks at both Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay, while there were also liquid-bulk terminals being proposed for East London and Durban. CAPTION The tender for a cruise terminal facility at the Port of Cape Town closes on February 5. Operators are due to be selected through a competitive bidding process and the term of the operating licence could be between 20 and 25 years.
