The national operator of South Africa’s ports has announced shortlisted companies to upgrade two of its facilities.
Transnet announced on 12 August the finalist respondents for privatisation in the Durban Pier 2 and Ngqura Container Terminals (DCT2 and NCT respectively).
For DCT Pier 2, 10 respondents have been shortlisted:
- APM Terminals AMI Management DMCEST
- China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and Guangzhou Port Co. Ltd
- COSCO Shipping Ports Limited
- DP World Limited
- Global Ports Services Pty. Ltd
- Grindrod Freight Services (Pty) Ltd and Hamburger Hafen Und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA)
- International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI)
- Red Sea Gateway Terminal and MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd
- Star Classic Investments Limited and Abu Dhabi Ports
- Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) and REMGRO Limited
For NCT, four respondents have been shortlisted:
- International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI)
- Red Sea Gateway Terminal and MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd
- Star Classic Investments Limited and Abu Dhabi Ports
- Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) and REMGRO Limited
The aim with the upgrade is to create a 25-year special purpose vehicle (SPV) between Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) and the winning bidders.
After 25 years the terminals will revert fully to TPT.
“Transnet is repositioning Durban as a gateway hub port, and plans for significant growth in container capacity over the coming years,” Transnet wrote in its release.
As part of the port masterplans, Transnet aims to improve commercial performance and throughput at DCT Pier 2 by bringing in a partner terminal operations experience.
NCT is located at the Port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape. The port serves as a transshipment hub serving East and West coast African traffic and traffic from South America to Asia.
The terminal, however, has been loss-making for a number of years, Transnet notes. The winning bidder is expected to boost transshipment volumes and improve terminal performance.
Transnet will issue Requests for Proposals to the shortlisted respondents.
The companies will have until December 2022 to submit their proposals for adjudication.
Preferred bidders for each terminal are expected to be appointed by February 2023.