Transnet likely to enter public private partnerships soon

With required investment in port
infrastructure estimated at R230bn
over the next 30 years, Transnet
will be likely to enter into Public
Private Partnerships sooner rather
than later.
That was the message from
TNPA engineer Chris Matchett,
who addressed delegates at last
week’s Industrial Development
Corporation shipping forum in
Johannesburg.
“TNPA has Port Development
Framework Plans for each
commercial port – and these are
driven by long-term forecasts over
the next 30 years,” Matchett said.
“Transnet has not yet entered
the world of PPPs, but I personally
believe that can’t be too far over
the horizon because it would
be difficult for the state to find
R230bn over that timeframe.”
He said that TNPA was a
strong supporter of short sea trade
adding that TNPA tariffs provided
discounts for coastal trade and
transhipped cargo.