This would pave the way for the “decommissioned” dumps and tanks – long criticised for being both health hazards and eyesores – to be replaced by a waterfront development, with two alternatives already under consideration and room for more.
Transnet group planning general manager Krish Reddy gave the news to members attending the annual meeting of the PE Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Percci).
It has been a key member of the movement to get the facilities moved. Reddy said two alternatives for the site were already being considered.
One would be for part of the site of the manganese terminal, its surrounding dumps, and the tank farm to be converted into an expanded car export and import terminal. The other part would be to become a waterfront development.
The other proposal would be for the entire area to be opened up as a waterfront site.
Other alternatives could be considered and Reddy called for any proposals to be submitted.
On the future of the ore exports, Reddy said there were two options and a choice would be made by the end of this year. One was to move the existing terminal to the deep-water port of Ngqura on the other side of Algoa Bay.
The second would be for all manganese exports to be consolidated at Saldanha Bay. The second was emerging as the one more favoured, said Reddy, who replaced Transnet acting chief executive Chris Wells as the guest speaker. Wells had to change his schedule because of the Transnet strike.
On the oil tanks, Reddy said that the existing leases with various oil companies ran out in 2014 and Transnet would not renew these.
The site would then have to be rehabilitated, with that cost covered by the oil companies.
Discussions were now under way about establishing a new tank farm in the Ngqura-Coega industrial development zone.
The final decision would depend on negotiations with several parties, including PetroSA.