Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the City is optimistic of an economic boost from improved Port of Cape Town operations following major Transnet investments in dozens of new cranes this year, including critical anti-sway technology to protect operations from wind. He emphasised that the process to involve private sector management in the Port, begun earlier this year, should be completed with urgency. The Mayor was speaking at Transnet’s launch of the new ‘Rubber-tyred gantry’ (RTG) cranes at the port on Wednesday, 17 September.

‘An efficient port is essential for job-creating growth, and the City is optimistic of an economic boost from improved port operations thanks to this new crane equipment, which forms part of Transnet’s R3,4bn capital investment.

‘Continued investment in port upgrades, and more private sector involvement in running the port, remain critical to keep making progress. We look forward to the urgent completion of national government’s Request For Information process on private sector partnerships and investment in ports and freight rail lines.

‘We also welcome Transnet’s plans to develop the Culemborg Intermodal Logistics Precinct. As the local planning authority, we are ready to play an enabling role in this development, which will significantly improve operations thanks to far better back-of-port capacity.

‘Together, the national government, Transnet, the City and private sector partners can transform the Port of Cape Town into the world-class port that this great maritime city deserves and needs,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, said that the new ‘anti-sway’ crane technology should improve the port’s ability to cope with weather-related challenges.

‘High winds have been an ever-present brake on port efficiency, with exporters at times forced to divert their goods to other ports in Durban, Gqeberha and elsewhere at huge costs. But now with this new anti-sway crane technology, we are optimistic that operations should be a lot smoother, with these new cranes now able to withstand winds up to 90km. This will go some way to addressing key concerns raised with me recently by the deciduous fruit industry, which cannot afford delays in exporting 80% of its products via Cape Town’s port.

‘An efficient port could create 20 000 new jobs, add R6 bn in exports and over R1,6bn in new tax revenue according to research from the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism,’ said Alderman Vos.