Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has appointed Preston Khomo, previously Richards Bay Port Manager, as Executive Manager: Ship Repair, to manage and administer the organisation’s ship repair resources nationally.

Thamsanqa Sithole has been appointed as the new Port Manager for Richards Bay. Both appointments are effective 1 July.

Khomo joined TNPA in 2004 as Head of Infrastructure Development: Port Operations and Consulting at Portcon (the then international arm of Transnet). He also served as Senior Manager: Real Estate Manager with a portfolio that included the management of the Island View Precinct and Ship Repair for the Port of Durban.

In 2012, he was appointed as Richards Bay Port Manager.

In his new role he will be responsible for the strategic development of ship repair infrastructure, creating mechanisms for fair and equitable access to infrastructure as well as the provision of adequate and efficient services.

Ship Repair facilities are located at the Ports of Durban, East London and Cape Town, where there are dry docks, and at Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay where there are slipways.

Ship Repair has been under the spotlight since 2014 when government announced its Operation Phakisa strategy to unlock the potential of the oceans economy.

Numerous infrastructure upgrades have been rolled out by TNPA at its facilities, which are in various stages of completion. Khomo will manage the implementation of the current capital programmes in all ship repair facilities.

The short term focus will be on developing a comprehensive ship repair strategy and tactical plans, and on improving the functionality and efficiency of TNPA’s ship repair business.

Khomo will be responsible for assessing market trends and planning capacity to meet demand, as well as ensuring TNPA realises optimal value from its ship repair commercial property portfolio, while meeting its obligations in terms of the National Ports Act.