Page 19 - KZN Top Business Portfolio eBook -2024

TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION
SECTOR
Transport is a catalyst of economic growth in the country
in general as well as in KwaZulu-Natal contributing to
20.3 per cent of this sector in the national economy.
The Durban and Richard’s Bay ports play a pivotal role
in facilitating the movement of goods and fostering
economic growth. In addition, the ports are gateways
to the African continent. However, focus has turned to
Durban port to address congestion issues, inefficient
handling of cargo, long waiting times for vessels, and
the inability to adapt to increased demand.
It is hoped that Transnet Port Terminals’ 25 year public
private partnership with global port operator, Manila-
headquartered International Container Terminal
Services, will enable Transnet to grow its cargo volume
handling significantly from 1,7 million TEU (twenty
foot equivalent units) per annum to 2,9 million TEU per
annum over the next two years.
The Durban-Free State-Gauteng Corridor it is one of the
busiest routes in the country and ferries approximately
30 million tonnes of road freight per annum.
The container-rail line between Durban and Gauteng
is a key route for the country’s imports. However,
there is a strong call to improve rail efficiency as this in the country, by offering a range of benefits for
rail line is badly constrained by theft, vandalism and enterprises located within the designated zone.
rail damage. Inland the Cato Ridge Inland Port (CRIP) Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone and Dube
has achieved a significant milestone by successfully TradePort have attracted a combined investment of
implementing a back-of-port train solution to connect more than R25 billion over the past five years. The KZN
the Port of Durban and Cato Ridge. government has singled out these economic zones
as central in aiding the recovery from the economic
This route has been highlighted by government as effects of the Covid -19 pandemic.
one of its five massive infrastructural projects planned
to boost the economy. CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
KwaZulu-Natal construction activities included:
Flagship projects in the province include the Dube
TradePort, which has been constructed north of the ƒ Construction of buildings
ƒ Building installation; building completion; and
city. Dube TradePort takes advantage of its prime
location as the only facility in Africa combining an renting of construction equipment with operators
international airport, dedicated cargo terminal, ƒ Civil engineering
ƒ Specialised construction activities
warehousing, offices, retail, and agriculture hub.
Together with the King Shaka International Airport, The construction sector has been severely impacted
intermodal road, rail and sea infrastructure is by the “construction mafia” who illegally occupy and
seamlessly integrated. These are critical enablers for hijack sites to extort money from contractors.
business efficiency and effectiveness.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle
Special Economic Zones (SEZ) are one of the Zikalala, recently issued a stern warning to construction
Government’s strategic instruments implemented mafias hindering the progress of projects in KwaZulu-
to drive an inclusive economic growth, deepen Natal. He said, “We wish to clearly state that the
industrialisation and industrial rebalancing. The government is committed to supporting business
SEZ designation of the Dube TradePort and the people who want to get involved in the built-
Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) environment sector and do business. Those who want
demonstrates an effort by the government to enhance to benefit from the construction value chain as business
the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector and people will be supported and we are enforcing that
encourage the beneficiation of available resources through regulations.”

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