The investments fall within the Transnet Market Demand Strategy (MDS) announced by President Jacob Zuma during his State of the Nation Address in February, where he outlined the South African government's focus on infrastructure development.
In total, the Transnet Group will spend R300 billion in port and rail capital projects until 2018/19.
TPT CEO, Karl Socikwa said on Wednesday, 2 May 2012, that the MDS has major implications for Transnet division's responsibility to facilitate unconstrained growth, unlock demand and create world-class port operations through improved efficiencies.
"It entails an acceleration of our capacity creation programmes at all our major terminals, to ensure that we are able to grow the economy and make the ports as competitive and efficient as possible," said Socikwa.
He explained that the bulk of TPT's spend - 71 percent of the R33 billion seven year investment pipeline would be focused on expansion projects and creating capacity to meet projected demand, while the remaining 29 percent would go towards capital sustaining projects aimed at achieving operating norms and upholding service delivery.
"The latter includes the replacement of aged equipment as well as the refurbishment of existing equipment," he said.
Some of the major capacity creating projects to be embarked on by TPT until 2018/19 will include:
Socikwa added that these investments into South Africa's commercial port operations will continue to provide a springboard for growth.
"We will implement specific initiatives to grow volumes and use capacity as it comes on stream, while improving operational efficiencies and growing personnel, thus ensuring the success of the MDS."
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