Transnet Seeks Operator for Durban Multipurpose Terminal

South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is seeking an operator for a multipurpose terminal at the Port of Durban.

The state-owned ports and freight-rail authority has issued a request for proposals (RFP), inviting interested parties to submit bids to design, develop, finance, construct, operate, maintain, and eventually transfer the terminal located in the Maydon Wharf Precinct. The concession period will last 25 years.

The 145-hectare precinct features 15 berths and handles over 7 million tonnes of cargo annually. It serves as a mixed-use cargo hub, accommodating dry bulk, breakbulk, a limited volume of liquid bulk, and some containerized units.

The site comprises two lease areas totaling 25,125 square meters. One lease is a brownfield site that includes an administration building, an office block, and a workshop.

Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, acting port manager for Durban, emphasized the significance of the project, stating: “The issuance of this RFP signifies our ongoing and intentional efforts to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the Port of Durban. By attracting capable terminal operators, we aim to modernise infrastructure, optimise cargo handling, and strengthen the port’s role as a key trade gateway for the region.”

Meanwhile, a decision regarding the operator for South Africa’s largest container terminal remains unresolved. In 2023, Philippines-based International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) won the 25-year concession to manage Durban Container Terminal Pier 2. However, Maersk, which had also bid for the contract, contested the decision, claiming irregularities in the tender process. The matter is still being reviewed in court.