Transnet National Ports Authority announced on Monday 26 January, that it will invest R9.65 billion in infrastructure projects at Saldanha Bay on the West Coast of South Africa.

The projects are aimed at improving the port’s ability to service the offshore oil and gas industry and to help reduce infrastructure bottlenecks which hamper economic growth.

The 330 ha Saldanha Bay industrial development zone was designated in 2013 as a zone dedicated to serving the oil and gas industry. It has attracted strong interest, mainly from fabricators.

Saldanha Bay supports the export of the iron-ore mined in the Northern Cape province, which currently stands at around 57 million tonnes a year.

Saldanha Bay port manager, Willem Roux said in a press conference on Monday that TNPA sees an opportunity in serving the oil rigs operating on the west and east coasts of Africa, Business Day reported.

The project is expected to be completed by January 2018.