ARTWELL DLAMINI

Transport Correspondent

TRANSNET says it is considering the large-scale acquisition of properties in KwaZulu-Natal, including the Durban International Airport, in preparation for the expansion of Durban port.

The 20-year expansion plans come as SA’s biggest container terminal grapples with congestion which delays imports and exports.

Speaking yesterday at the formal opening of the recently deepened and widened Durban harbour entrance channel, Moira Moses, CEO of Transnet Capital Projects, said in the short term the group planned to convert Salisbury Island in Durban harbour into a container terminal.

However, the parastatal planned to build a bigger port in the longer term and this would require the group to either buy the site of the soon to be abandoned Durban International Airport, or buy properties in the Bayhead area, situated at the bottom end of Durban port.

Moses said the group had no intention of making these acquisitions in the short to medium term. However, through the group’s demand freight models, Transnet knew what the expected capacity and volumes were over the next 20 years.

If the project went ahead, Durban port would add capacity of about 700000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) a year, bringing the total to about 2,6-million TEUs.

Durban has capacity of 1,9-million TEU a year, making it the largest container terminal in SA.

Moses said she hoped the construction of the new terminal would begin within five years.

As part of the Salisbury Island land acquisition, Moses said Transnet expected this year to start building replacement facilities for the South African Navy, whose properties are on the island.

Negotiations were under way between Transnet and the Department of Public Works, which owns Salisbury Island, to conclude the land sale agreement, she said.

The expansion of the harbour sought to consolidate container

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: Business Day