TPT reaffirms interest in Durban Airport site

Transnet Port Terminals will invest R20 billion in upgrading and expansion at South Africa’s ports over the next five years. According to TPT chief executive Karl Socikwa, an extensive five-year investment programme is in place that will see infrastructure replaced where necessary and capacity created. Referring to talks about the future of the old Durban Airport, he commented: “We believe it is a perfect location for another container terminal, but it is very early stages yet. There is no definite decision as to what is going to happen with the land.” He said various roleplayers such as Acsa and the City of Durban were involved in the process, but no decisions had been made. “We have made it very clear though that we are very keen and very interested in that facility and are involved in discussions around it.” Socikwa said if they were to get access to the area it would be years before a container terminal would be up and running. “It is definitely not on the cards for the next five years. The first step is the acquisition of the land before one can even look at licensing.”