The City of Cape Town has hailed as “long overdue” the recent announcement by Transnet seeking a private partner for port development, marking a pivotal shift towards enhancing productivity.
James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, praised the move as a critical step towards addressing the port’s well-documented inefficiencies, which have long burdened South Africans.
He emphasized the significant impact of delayed imports on both exporters and consumers, stressing the need for improved outputs at the Port of Cape Town.
Transnet’s call for interested parties to submit bids for a 25-year concession period to acquire, operate, maintain, refurbish, or construct and transfer a liquid bulk terminal at the port has garnered widespread attention.
Vos highlighted the immense potential for private sector participation, citing projections of additional exports worth R6 billion, the creation of approximately 20,000 jobs, and over R1.6 billion in additional taxes over five years, as per research from the Western Cape’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
This development aligns with the city’s longstanding advocacy for change, with Vos expressing ongoing efforts to urge national government intervention and engage with stakeholders on the port’s operational impacts.
Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of rigorous vetting to ensure contracts are awarded to reputable entities, learning from past challenges to optimize future outcomes.
Vos underscored the significance of this partnership in driving tangible economic growth for Cape Town, highlighting the city’s potential to serve as a catalyst for progress.
