Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced that it is seeking a partnership with a terminal operator to design, construct and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Port of Richards Bay.
TNPA chief executive Michelle Philips said in a statement on Friday that Transnet Pipelines (TPL) was participating in a Section 56 process for a Request for Proposals (RFP) to “design, develop, construct, finance, operate, maintain and transfer” an LNG terminal in the port.
“TPL is looking for qualifying partners to enter into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) that will allow the parties to collaborate towards the submission of a response to the TNPA’s section 56 RFP,” Philips said.
TPL issued the RFP request to the market on July 27, with a closing deadline of August 19.
“The responses will be scored based on, amongst other criteria, financial capacity, LNG project development experience, experience with LNG/ infrastructure project financing, expertise in negotiating LNG/natural gas-related agreements, and technical experience,” she added.
TPL is the largest multi-product pipeline operator in southern Africa with more than 55 years of experience in operating and maintaining a 3 114-kilometer high-pressure petroleum and gas pipeline network in South Africa. It is regulated by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).
The core strategic mandate of TPL is to ensure petroleum security of supply for the inland market and gas security of supply for the KwaZulu-Natal market, using environmentally responsible methods while ensuring optimum efficiencies. TPL’s RFP can be found on the National Treasury’s e-Tenders portal and the Transnet website.
