EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda welcomed the development of a liquid bulk facility set to enhance operations at Maydon Wharf 6.

THE Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) recently signed a significant Terminal Operator Agreement (TOA) with Mnambithi Terminals, paving the way for the development of a state-of the-art liquid bulk facility in the Maydon Wharf Precinct. The signing ceremony, attended by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, marks a pivotal moment for Durban. Mayor Kaunda welcomed the move, emphasising its potential to significantly grow the City’s economy. The new facility, with an investment value of R1.3 billion, will transform the port’s infrastructure, featuring advanced direct rail and road loading capabilities, an on-site truck staging area, and automated loading systems. These upgrades will streamline operations and reduce road congestion in the Maydon Wharf area, thereby improving the overall logistical flow.

This initiative is part of Transnet’s broader Recovery Plan aimed at boosting volume recovery and operational efficiencies across its divisions. The project’s completion will not only modernise the port but also significantly contribute to Durban’s economy by creating over 50 to 100 direct jobs and more than 400 indirect job opportunities for local communities. The agreement follows a successful section 79 directive under the National Ports Act of 2005, which underscores the project’s alignment with national strategic and economic goals. The 20-year TOA with Mnambithi Terminals, a wholly black-owned subsidiary of Mnambithi Group, highlights TNPA’s commitment to fostering transformation and inclusive growth within the port industry. “TNPA is deliberate about enabling transformation in the industry and breaking barriers of entry by ensuring inclusion and access for all. 

We are therefore delighted to welcome Mnambithi Terminals, and hope that this strategic relationship will promote the national, strategic, and economic interests of the country as mandated by Section 79 of the National Ports Act of 2005,” said Transnet Group Chief Executive Advocate Michelle Phillips. The project will be executed in two phases. The first phase involves demolishing existing structures, installing tanks and infrastructure, and setting up a road loading gantry and bulk transfer pipelines. The second phase will focus on the installation of additional tanks and infrastructure to complete the facility. This development marks a significant milestone for the Port of Durban, promising to bolster trade through the import and export of highflash liquid bulk cargo, and further solidify Durban’s position as a key economic hub in South Africa.