RICHARDS BAY will probably receive investments of up to $500m in the near future, with at least two fertiliser plants on the cards. A $300m plant has been proposed by the Industrial Development Corporations' Foskor and a Norwegian company Norsk Hydro. Meanwhile the IDC is also close launching a R5,2bn direct reduced iron project in Maputo. The plant will produce steel products aimed at the international construction industry. These developments are likely to emphasise the current trend towards specialisation of southern African ports. Durban will remain the largest container terminal in the region while regional ports with their large areas of undeveloped land are likely to grow in importance as bulk cargo terminals.
