Name of the Project
Richards Bay liquid natural gas (LNG) bulk terminal.

Location
Port of Richards Bay’s South Dunes precinct, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) signed a 25-year concession agreement with Vopak SA Developments in November 2022.

Project Description
The liquid bulk terminal will serve as a catalytic project for the Port of Richards Bay masterplans, which form part of the larger KwaZulu-Natal Logistics Hub Programme.

The project entails the development, construction, operation and maintenance of a liquid bulk terminal at the port.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The project involves a R1-billion investment.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is scheduled to enter into commercial operation during 2027.

Latest Developments
The TNPA has selected Vopak & TPL Consortium Venture following a bidding process for an entity to design, develop, build, finance, operate and maintain the LNG terminal for 25 years.

The next step is the signing of the terminal operator agreement, which is under negotiation. 

Vopak is a Dutch company with a network of 78 terminals, including LNG terminals, in 23 countries, while TPL is the State-owned entity responsible for South Africa’s strategic fuel pipeline assets.

TNPA will invest in the common user port infrastructure, while the terminal operator will provide the terminal infrastructure.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Transnet corporate affairs manager Nkululeko Molefe, email Nkululeko.molefe@transnet.net.