State-owned enterprise (SOE), Transnet, this week launched its massive drive to bring private sector operators into the country’s freight system.
The company has issued a request for proposals inviting suitably qualified global logistics service providers to design, build, operate, maintain and eventually hand over its proposed inland container terminal in Tambo Springs, located east of Johannesburg.
The concession will be over a 20-year period and will reportedly be Transnet’s biggest private sector participation project to date.
Transnet spokesman, Molatwane Likhethe, says the terminal is expected to be in operation by 2019 and will have an initial capacity of 144 000 TEU per annum – with an option to ramp it up to 560 000 TEUs, depending on demand.
The project will include an arrival and departure yard for handling cargo trains; terminal infrastructure; terminal equipment; stacking area; warehousing space; a distribution centre; and inland reefer facilities
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) will be responsible for the operation of the arrival and departure yard required to service the terminal while the private sector will be responsible for loading and offloading of containers and marketing of the facility.
The winning bidder is expected to meet the following requirements:
* introduce new entrants - particularly black players;
* must demonstrate technical expertise; and
* have a minimum level 4 BBBEE status with a commitment to reach level 2 by the third year of operation.
The proposed terminal is aimed at unlocking the country’s industrial development while boosting export capability and will be designed to complement Transnet’s container-handling capacity in the province.
