Page 40 - KZN Top Busines Portfolio 2020/21

CATO RIDGE LOGISTICS HUB CONSORTIUM

Sibusiso Mazibuko Warwick Lord
www.crlhc.co.za

MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION There have also been many prophets of doom,
claiming this location to be either too far or too
FACILITY UNDER DEVELOPMENT close to the Port of Durban to make economic, or
The Cato Ridge Logistics and Intermodal Hub, now logistical sense, predicting that a dry port in Cato
more aptly referred to as the Cato Ridge Dry Port Ridge will never see the light of day. However, for
(CRDP), has been the topic of discussion in the those who use the truck congested N3 freeway, for
transportation and logistics corridors for many years. those who work, live or play in the vicinity of the
Some of the views expressed by those who call ‘back of port’ area, for those who sit, work and
themselves industry specialists are that Cato Ridge even live in their trucks for days on end, waiting to
is an ideal location as an intermodal, or even a multi- either collect or drop off cargo in the port, or those
modal transportation facility. logistics operators and traders who have to cope
with increasing costs and decreasing predictability
Advantageous Location and reliability, there is stark realisation that the
The location on a strategic intersection of the Natcor status quo is not sustainable.
railway line, the N3 freeway and the soon to be Understanding that the Port of Durban has very
decommissioned Durban Johannesburg Pipeline limited scope for expansion, especially for back of
(DJP) and positioned between the busiest port and port activities and onsite freight handling, that the
the primary economic node on the African continent, over reliance on road freight and a skewed road to
certainly supports this view. rail ratio is further stifling or smothering the port and
that if we are already struggling to cope with existing
freight volumes, how are we ever going to cope with
doubled volumes in the not too distant future, then
one has come to understand the logic of the Cato
Ridge Dry Port.
The area of Cato Ridge with its surrounding, pre-
dominantly rural and impoverished AmaXimba
Community, located roughly midway between Durban
and Pietermaritzburg, presents a series of unique social,
economic, environmental and spatial challenges and
opportunities. Merging the social needs surrounding
this area, with the vast economic potential, stimulated
by transportation, logistics and manufacturing sectors
and executed in an environmentally sustainable
manner, presents an opportunity too good to be
ignored by both government and business interests.
Developing the Dream
It is against this background that the Cato Ridge
Logistics Hub Consortium (CRLHC) as the project
owners and developers, acting on behalf of and
representing the AmaXimba Community in this
development, has conceptualised, planned, packaged

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