TNPA Calls for Proposals For a Citrus Handling Terminal at Port of Durban

By Sinazo Mkoko

Businesses specialising in terminal operations have until January 26, 2024, to submit their proposals for the citrus handling terminal at Port of Durban. This follows Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA)’s issuing Request for Proposals (RFP) for a terminal operator to develop and maintain for the handling of citrus and other produce, including break bulk cargo, in the Port of Durban’s Maydon Wharf Precinct.

In a statement released, TNPA stated that the Maydon Wharf Precinct has 27 terminals operated by 16 terminal operators, including five major dry bulk terminals, four major break bulk terminals, five major multipurpose terminals, and three liquid bulk terminals.

It extends over approximately 145 hectares, with 15 common user berths and an annual cargo capacity of 7 million metric tonnes. The precinct has served as the main precinct for general freight and has been developed in phases over the years.

TNPA states that the National Ports Authority, as the landlord of South Africa’s ports, is responsible for promoting their use as well as improving, developing, and controlling land use inside these ports. They also have the authority to lease port land under their own terms. The country’s state-owned freight and rail company said responses to the RFP will assist TNPA in responding to potential investors in the agricultural industry.

“Bidders are required to submit bid responses for the exclusive right to complete the financing, refurbishment, procurement of terminal equipment, operation, maintenance, and transfer of the facility to TNPA after the concession period of 25 years. According to the South African government, the port system of South Africa is operated and controlled by TNPA on behalf of the State. It consists of eight commercial seaports along the South African coastline.

TNPA’s role includes managing the port system in a landlord capacity and providing port infrastructure and marine services to the eight ports in Richards Bay, Durban, East London, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, Cape Town, and Saldanha. Port infrastructure is provided in the container, dry bulk, liquid bulk, break-bulk, and automotive sectors. Marine services provided include dredging, aids to navigation, ship repairs, marine operations, and pilotage.

More Development Opportunities for Commercial Seaports

Meanwhile, the TNPA has also issued Requests for Information (RFI) for the development of a terminal facility and related facilities for hydrogen initiatives at its commercial seaports. In a statement released, TNPA stated that this was in support of South Africa’s transition into a lowcarbon economy.

According to TNPA, the RFI assesses market interest in developing, designing, constructing, financing, operating, and maintaining an import and export terminal for hydrogen initiatives. “This includes green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol, and/or grey hydrogen at the ports of Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mossel Bay, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth, and Saldanha.

“The introduction of this initiative is part of TNPA’s strategic projects that enable Just Transition, making it a step closer to enabling greener shipping and decarbonisation of the company’s marine fleet in order to remain globally competitive,” said Amanda Makgoga, TNPA Sector Specialist, Renewable Energy. The deadline for submissions has been set for January 31. TNPA said this initiative is also in line with the Hydrogen Society Roadmap for South Africa, approved by Cabinet in 2021.

“It also supports the National Development Plan 2030, which advocates for increased investment in an energy sector that is both economically inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Such projects put South Africa on the map of project developers as an investment destination of choice, showing South Africa’s ambitions,” they said.

RFP and RFI documents can be accessed from the National Treasury’s www.etender.gov.za e-tender portal and/or the Transnet website.