Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has shortlisted three respondents to submit proposals for the design, funding and construction of a planned port and rail infrastructure project at Boegebaai in the Northern Cape.
The state-owned logistics utility said the development of the new port and associated rail infrastructure in the Boegoebaai area will improve connectivity to the Northern Cape, and provide the logistics for manganese, green ammonia and other commodity exports in the province.
“It supports the opening up of the province as a mining destination.
“The shortlisting follows the positive response received from the market, where eight consortia made up of local and international companies within the engineering, construction, funding and logistics sectors responded to the Request for Qualification (RFQ), which was issued in August 2022,” TNPA said.
The three shortlisted respondents are: Boegoebaai Port & Rail Consortium, Boegoebaai Development Consortium and Project Elephant Consort.
The RFQ process was undertaken to identify qualifying developers who can undertake the design, funding and construction of the capital-efficient greenfield, deep-water port and associated infrastructure.
“This project, post-construction, will result in the efficient movement of cargo emanating from the Northern Cape thereby providing another export channel for mining commodities from South Africa to global markets,” said Magenthran Ruthenavelu, TNPA Boegoebaai’s programme director.
Following the RFQ process, the next step is for TNPA to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the qualifying respondents.
TNPA said it would continue to work with key stakeholders in securing critical resources for the realisation of the project.