TNPA RELOCATION

TNPA RELOCATION

TNPA Head Ofce Moves to Port Elizabeth

The National Ports Authority (TNPA) of South Africa under Transnet SOC Ltd's ongoing cost-saving and efficiency initiatives, has moved its headquarters from the country commercial capital city of Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth. The move implemented in March this year, has seen Transnet consolidate its various corporate offices -currently split between Johannesburg and Durban – into one – at the eMendi administration building, Port of Ngqura in Port Elizabeth. Ms Ayanda Mantshongo, Executive Manager: Corporate Affairs forTransnet National Ports Authority said the relocation of a head office of any large organisation is a significant business decision that is preceded by serious strategic considerations. The relocation of a Sea Port Authority's head office from a landlocked city, closer to its operations, ensures that TNPA serves its customers at the point of execution, while bringing about savings of approximately R25 million a year from lease agreements. It bears reiterating that the strategic decision for the Head Office of TNPA to locate at one of the SA's ports dates back over 10 years, which decision was not implemented, for reasons unrelated to the interests of the Port Authority and/or its customers. The 10,000 square metre eMendi building, completed at a cost of R255 million in 2017, is currently underutilised, yet has the opportunity to significantly deliver cost-savings for Transnet. The eMendi building is currently being reconfigured into a layout suitable for accommodating the TNPA Head Office resources. TNPA operations are spread over three coastal regions, namely: Kwa-Zulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.The Eastern Cape is centrally located between the Kwa-Zulu Natal and Western Cape regions, and hosts three of the eight commercial sea ports operated by TNPA – East London, Port Elizabeth and Ngqura. Transnet sees the consolidation of TNPA in the Eastern Cape as an important contributor to the revival of that province's economy, as it increases the ease of doing business. Among other things,TNPA facilities in Port Elizabeth have contributed to record citrus exports in the past year, and shown encouraging growth in the export of motor vehicles from Eastern Cape assembly plants. Prior to relocation,Transnet embarked on a consultation process with staff and organised labour.The move was completed by 31 March 2021. Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is one of six operating divisions of Transnet SOC Ltd. The National Ports Authority is responsible for the safe, effective and efficient economic functioning of the national port system, which it manages in a landlord capacity. It provides por infrastructure and t marine services at the eight commercial seaports in South Africa – Richards Bay, Durban, Saldanha, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay and Ngqura. It operates within a legislative and regulatory environment and is governed by the National Ports Act (Act No. 12 of 2005).

COVER STORYPORT LOUIS-MAURITIUS

Port Louis and Its Municipality a Role Model for a Sustainable Future

Port Louis is increasingly a leading economic and urban stakeholder in Mauritius.

The relationship between the city of Port Louis and the port has grown much closer in recent times, gradually becoming more palpable with a winwin mentality. Incidentally, the Municipality of Port Louis has been actively involved in many of the recent activities organised by the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA), including a recreational day for children of Roche Bois and neighbouring regions in August 2018, and the opening of an exhibition at the Café du Vieux Conseil as part of the “Port in Pictures” painting competition. This activity, held recently, was aimed at secondary school pupils from the Port Louis area.

Today, the aim is not merely to consider the physical expansion of the port space itself, but rather to take on board both its importance to the urban community and the functions it serves (harmonious development of the port space, the challenges posed by climate change, etc.). With this in mind, a consensus slowly built up around the need to create a joint platform involving the MPA, the Municipality of Port Louis, and the Port Users' Council, to promote constant dialogue between the city, port, businesses, and citizens.

The aim is to promote all of the different port spaces and a diversified relationship between them and the city, which require specific solutions depending on the stakeholders concerned.

This collaboration took concrete form and was strengthened with the signature of a partnership agreement between the MPA, the Municipality of Port Louis, and the Port Users' Council recently. As the primary interface with the port, the city of Port Louis is set to receive annual funding of two million rupees. The money will be used for small projects contributing to the everyday