Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is moving ahead with its Durban Island View Precinct strategy, with a detailed timeline for implementation just released.
The strategy aims to attract new, and facilitate greater participation of, historically disadvantaged persons in terminal operations and enhance the country’s supply of strategic liquid bulk commodities, according to TNPA chief executive Shulami Qalinge.
The authority said that it expected to have appointed a liquid bulk expert and legal adviser by the end of October, while condition assessments were expected to be completed by December this year.
An independent service provider, appointed by TNPA, has been on site since August to conduct these assessments which will help to determine the present condition of assets, their remaining economic lifespans, and the potential presence of environmental contamination.
TNPA will thereafter issue a request for quotations by February 2019 and qualifying bidders looking to become new terminal operators in the precinct will be determined by April 2019.
Following this, a request for proposals will be issued by July 2019.
The port authority noted that it had earmarked April 2020 as the period when the transition of new terminal operators into the precinct would commence.
Implementation of the strategy would address slow transformation in the precinct where lessees had historically enjoyed tenancy in excess of 50 years, said Qalinge.
