Question NW3345 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
31 October 2022 - NW3345
Whitfield, Mr AG to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) With reference to his reply to question 654 on 5 April 2022 regarding liquid bulk storage in the Port of Ngqura and the Port of Port Elizabeth, and regarding the joint Transnet and Coega Development Corporation (CDC) development of the liquid bulk facilities in Zone 5 of the Special Economic Zone, (a) what are the details of the parcel/parcels of land that were (i) identified and (ii) chosen for the development, (b) on which parcel of land is the development being constructed, (c) what was the total cost of all land purchased for the specified development and (d) by what date is it envisaged that the development will be completed and commissioned; (2) what is the status of the appeal of the termination notice issued by Transnet National Ports Authority to Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd, Engen Petroleum Ltd and Total Energies Marketing South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Oil Majors); (3) whether the specified appeal process has affected the schedule for transferring the facility to the Port of Ngqura; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to the information received from Transnet
(1)
a) (i) - (ii) The land that was identified and chosen for the development of the liquid bulk facility is Erf 312 in Zone 5 of the Coega SEZ, approximately 13 hectares.
b) Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has earmarked 20 hectares of land within the Port of Ngqura for the development of the liquid bulk facility.
c) TNPA has not purchased any piece of land outside the designated port limits of the Port of Ngqura for the development of the liquid bulk facility.
d) TNPA envisages completion and commissioning of the Port of Ngqura Liquid Bulk site by December 2026.
(2)
The Ports Regulator (PRSA) issued its record of decision (ROD) in respect of the appeal on 26 April 2022, in which it set aside TNPA’s decision to terminate the leases of Astron & Others and found that their lease had not been terminated by effluxion of time on 30 April 2022. TNPA advised the Oil Industry (Astron, Engen and Total) on 19 May 2022, that operations may continue as per the terms and conditions of the lease agreement and supplementary agreement.
(3)
The appeal process has not affected the commissioning of the site at the Port of Ngqura as the date of December 2026 was always an indicative date communicated to the stakeholders.