New container berths opened

[caption id="attachment_72276" align="alignright" width="300"] READY TO ROLL: At the official opening, are, from left, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown, Transnet chairwoman Linda Mabaso, Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle and Transnet Group chief executive Brian Molefe Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN -[/caption]

Minister hails R2bn Ngqura investment

TRANSNET, poster child for stateowned companies in South Africa, yesterday celebrated the completion of the third and fourth berths of Nelson Mandela Bay’s Ngqura container terminal.

Hailed by Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown as an example for other state-owned enterprises, the R2-billion investment will increase the container volume capacity of the harbour from 800 000 20ft equivalent units (TEUs) to 1.5 million TEUs a year.

Although the fourth berth is not yet operational, Transnet plans to invest in additional personnel and equipment as soon as the market demands it.

Ngqura, which handles about 730 000 TEUs a year, wants to position itself as the top transshipment hub linking the East, the West and Southern Africa with other trading partners around the world.

“This is a real success story for one of our state-owned companies, bringing more jobs and greater economic growth, which means greater efficiency,” Brown said.

Ngqura container terminal employs 825 people full-time.

-Cindy Preller