SOUTH AFRICA – Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has opened approximately 100 leasing opportunities for port land and commercial developments across the nation’s seven commercial seaports.

Dineo Mazibuko, acting TNPA General Manager for Commercial Services, underscored the strategic importance of this move, stating, “While these leasing opportunities allow TNPA to optimize the use of land within the ports fully, they undoubtedly present an untapped opportunity for the business to unlock the future of South Africa’s trade economy while opening up the market for new entrants.”

The initiative aims to repurpose seaport facilities for economic activities and make vacant buildings available for office, recreational, and industrial purposes, thereby unlocking diverse business prospects within port cities.

Among the offerings are 26 sites in the Port of Cape Town, 26 in the Port of Durban, two in the Port of East London, four in the Port of Mossel Bay, 11 in the Port of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), 24 in the Port of Richards Bay, and six in the Port of Saldanha.

Mazibuko emphasized the vast potential of these leasing opportunities to invigorate South Africa’s trade landscape, stating, “They present an untapped opportunity for the business to unlock the future of South Africa’s trade economy while opening up the market for new entrants.”

The primary lease terms vary from one to 15 years, depending on the type of development and alignment with specific Port Development Framework Plans.

Requests for Proposal (RFP) documents were issued on March 1, 2024, with submissions closing on April 5 at 12:00 PM.

To access RFP documents and obtain further details, interested parties can visit the Treasury’s e-tender publication portal http://www.etenders.gov.za and the Transnet website: www.transnet.net.

New threat to Red Sea vessel traffic around SA

In a concerning development, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have escalated their threats to maritime vessels, extending their missile reach into the southern Indian Ocean.

This escalation poses a significant risk to ocean carriers navigating around South Africa to evade attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Houthi rebels, outlined the group’s expanded missile tactics during a televised interview, stating, “Our main battle is to prevent ships linked to the Israeli enemy from passing through not only the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden but also the Indian Ocean towards the Cape of Good Hope.”

This escalation follows a series of attacks on maritime vessels near Yemen’s Port of Hodeida, with the number of targeted vessels reaching 65 since November.

The rebels claim to have improved their missile technology, enabling them to extend their target zone using hypersonic military capabilities.

The threat to vessels circumventing the Suez Canal and opting for the longer route around South Africa represents a significant challenge to maritime security and global trade routes.

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