TPT plans major overhaul for EL grain terminal

A major overhaul is on the cards for the East London grain terminal which has a major role to play in the impoverished Eastern Cape area, says acting Transnet Port Terminals chief executive Karl Socikwa. Speaking at a networking breakfast in Johannesburg last week, Socikwa said that an investigation into the operations of the grain terminal had proved to be very worrying as it was found that to continue operations would pose a major safety risk. “One fatality for us is one fatality too many. We take safety very seriously and it is clear that we need an intervention at the grain terminal to deal with the safety risks.” He said the company was currently engaged in discussions around what interventions would be put in place to ensure the terminal was operating successfully and safely. “We have no intention though of closing operations down as this terminal plays a major role in the East London context. The harbour and its terminals are very important for export and import in the Eastern Cape – a province that is very impoverished. In fact it is critical especially for the export of grain and wheat. “The creation of jobs at Ngqura, for example, has made a difference in the Eastern Cape where unemployment is very high.” Socikwa said TPT was therefore in the process of finding solutions for the problems at the grain terminal, which needs major renovations to ensure its future. “We will not close it, but it can also not be allowed to be a safety risk.”