South Africa is pressing ahead with a long-awaited port privatisation programme despite some ongoing problems with a first tender.
State-run Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is seeking tenders to develop Cape Town’s liquid bulk terminal in a 25-year concession.
Earlier Transnet granted a 25-year contract to International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) to manage the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2, the country’s largest container facility. However, this tender has since created a legal fight with APM Terminals heading to court to contest the decision.
Splash has reported repeatedly on the queues of ships that have built up at ports across South Africa, with the country’s terminals repeatedly polling among the lowest productivity-wise in surveys carried out by the World Bank.
