Terry Hutson THE WATERS of Durban Bay were further muddied this weekend with the news that Transnet is thinking in terms of a second container terminal, dependent on how a future private operator of the existing terminal might perform. Transnet’s thinking seems to indicate it is not sure whether a private operator of DCT can get things working, and is therefore keeping Plan B in reserve. Options on offering two terminals to the private sector have long been quietly discussed, with the director of restructuring at the Department of Public Enterprises, Richard Goode, having said that such an option would take care of any fears of one monopoly replacing another at the busy port. Were this to happen, then the most likely scenario for a second terminal, provided the decision was taken now and not after the first concession was granted, would be to convert the present Multi Purpose Terminal on Pier 1 into a second smaller container terminal instead of absorbing it into the existing DCT. This could provide between three and five berths depending on layout with a possible capacity of up to 500000 TEUs annually. Many successful terminals elsewhere operate with similar volumes. However, if Transnet goes the route of waiting to see if a private DCT is able to turn things round, then that option will not exist, with the MPT area having already become part and parcel of DCT. Which would mean a second container terminal having to be created elsewhere in the port. One such area could be the other half of Pier 1 as a small terminal. Another area could be the Bayhead shipyard area, where considerable potential for expansion exists.
