In a move set to drastically enhance South Africa’s agricultural export capacity and lower the cost of doing business for farmers, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced two landmark concession awards in the Maydon Wharf Precinct of the Port of Durban. The deal, which represents over R1 billion in private-sector investment, is a decisive step toward strengthening the nation’s food security and global trade competitiveness.
The announcement comes at a critical time for the agricultural sector, which has long called for modernized port infrastructure to handle increasing export volumes of perishable and dry bulk goods. By partnering with private-sector experts, TNPA aims to transform the aging Maydon Wharf into a modern, automated logistics hub.
Dedicated Fresh Produce Solutions
A key highlight for the fruit and perishable industry is the appointment of African Port Logistics and Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd, trading as KHOLD, as the preferred bidder for a dedicated fresh produce and break-bulk terminal. With a planned investment of R250 million, KHOLD is tasked with upgrading facilities to ensure that South Africa’s high-value exports reach global markets with minimal delays and maximum quality preservation.
For citrus, table grape, and deciduous fruit growers, this modernization is expected to provide a more reliable gateway, reducing the logistical bottlenecks that have historically plagued the Durban precinct during peak seasons.
Securing the Grain and Dry Bulk Chain
Simultaneously, the BAL SA & Africa Global Logistics Consortium has been named the preferred bidder for a multi-purpose terminal dedicated to agricultural dry bulk. This project involves a significant R810 million capital expenditure commitment to manage and develop facilities capable of handling the heavy demands of the grain and dry bulk trade.
These 25-year “brownfield” concessions follow a model where the private operators finance, design, construct, and operate the facilities before eventually transferring them back to the state. This long-term commitment ensures that the infrastructure remains cutting-edge throughout its tenure, directly benefiting the supply chains that connect local farms to international buyers.
A Strategy for Growth
Dr. Dineo Mazibuko, TNPA General Manager of Commercial Services, emphasized that these awards are a central part of Transnet’s “Reinvent for Growth Strategy”. “These transactions further strengthen Durban’s position as a competitive export platform for agricultural and fresh produce trade,” Mazibuko stated, noting that the goal is an “efficient, terminalized and automated inclusive logistics hub”.
The economic impact is expected to ripple beyond the port. Both bidders have made firm commitments to inclusive growth, specifically targeting the participation of black-owned small enterprises and providing new opportunities for previously disadvantaged individuals within the agricultural value chain.
Next Steps
The preferred bidders are now moving into final negotiations with TNPA to conclude Terminal Operator Agreements (TOAs). For South African farmers, these developments signal a new era of logistical efficiency that could safeguard the industry’s reputation as a world-class exporter for decades to come.