President Cyril Ramaphosa at the opening of the Tetra Pak facility at the Durban Port this week. Pic: Supplied
In a bid to revive the Durban Port to its former glory, President Cyril Ramaphosa has disclosed plans to establish a Presidential eThekwini working group.
The group's primary objective will be to tackle a range of challenges confronting the eThekwini Municipality, spanning from infrastructure deficits to operational inefficiencies within the metro.
President Ramaphosa made the announcement during the unveiling of the Newlyn Park Bayhead Rail Terminal project at the Port of Durban on Thursday.
This project marks a significant step toward revitalising the port's operations. The newly launched terminal, sprawling across 640 000 square meters, incorporates warehousing facilities, rail-sidings, and expansive open storage areas.
Notably, the terminal boasts the capacity to accommodate up to seven full block trains, each carrying 100 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) daily.
With its multi-modal capabilities, the terminal aims to streamline the movement of cargo via sea, rail, and road, positioning the Port of Durban as a pivotal hub for handling diverse cargo types.
President Ramaphosa emphasised the pivotal role of the working group in restoring the Durban Port to its former grandeur, envisioning it as a “beacon of excellence in global maritime trade”.
He said the strategic importance of Durban in international shipping routes, and the enduring appeal of the port to importers and exporters alike could not be stressed enough.
The president said it was imperative for collaborative efforts between national, provincial, and local authorities to tackle pressing issues such as water supply, infrastructure development, and municipal governance. He said the establishment of the Presidential eThekwini working group would foster enhanced co-operation in addressing these challenges.
In addition, President Ramaphosa called upon the private sector to actively engage in infrastructure development initiatives, saying the infrastructure served as the “linchpin for economic growth and development”.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts that culminated in the completion of the terminal, President Ramaphosa commended all stakeholders involved in its construction.
Echoing the president's sentiments, Raj Balmakhun, CEO of the Newlyn Group, emphasised the significance of public-private partnerships in driving South Africa's economic growth.
Mr Balmakhun highlighted the terminal's strategic location adjacent to the Port of Durban, which is poised to bolster intra-Africa and local trade, as well as attract investment opportunities.
He said the inauguration of the Newlyn Park Bayhead Rail Terminal heralds a new chapter in the revitalisation of the Durban Port, symbolising the potential unleashed through collaboration between government and the private sector.