EDITOR: On the back of this report – OTGC abandons plan to develop Ngqura liquid bulk storage terminal on viability concerns – TNPA released a media statement (below) titled: Transnet reaches milestone on PE Tank Farm Operations.
I have to hand it to the TNPA’s ‘spin doctors’ for once again trivialising a major step backwards in removal of the Tank Farm. Reading between the lines one is tempted to say that the moving of the tank farm DID NOT involve the clients at the still existing tank farm and NOW the clients are, to put it mildly, p!ssed off at the fact that they will have to move their business AND pay top dollar for the new facility.
The unabridged release:
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has received the Remediation Order from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) for the decommissioning and remediation of the Port of Port Elizabeth tank farm.
The Port of Port Elizabeth (PE) is pioneering one of the major decommissioning and remediation projects in the Transnet stable, which shall see the ceasing of the 80-year-old PE Tank Farm that has admirably served Nelson Mandela Bay as an importation and storage facility of petroleum products. This will pay the way for new developments in the Port of PE aligned to the Port’s vision of being a Sustainable World Class Smart People’s Port of Choice.
The decommissioning and remediation of the Port of PE Tank Farm Project is governed by Part 8 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008), which prescribes the environmental protocols to be complied with. In a joint effort with oil majors and stakeholders, such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the South African Petroleum Industry Association, in June 2020 TNPA led the formal submission process of the application to the DEFF. The DEFF has undertaken an extensive review process before granting the Remediation Order on 23 October 2020.
Rajesh Dana, Port Manager at the Port of PE said: “This is indeed a milestone to be celebrated. All the parties have worked tirelessly in ensuring that we fulfil the prescribed environmental requirements to ensure the success of the application to the DEFF, and in so doing ensure that the long term plans for the commercial development of the port can be realised”.
“The decommissioning, remediation and redevelopment of the site will change both the physical and economic face of the Port of PE and Nelson Mandela Bay. It signifies the commitment to develop the long awaited waterfront, one of the most anticipated and catalytic projects in Nelson Mandela Bay” added Dana.
Tank Farm operations at the Port of PE will continue until 31 December 2021, the date on which the Air Emissions Licenses for the PE Tank farm expires. The decommissioning and remediation activities will commence in 2022.
TNPA further acknowledges the challenges that have arisen with the construction of the liquid bulk facility at the Port of Ngqura. The successful bidder to build, operate and transfer the facility has since discontinued the construction project as it has not found a commercially viable business case for the proposed terminal. TNPA would like to assure the Nelson Mandela Bay community and industry at large that there are extensive and continued engagements with all the role players, to ensure an adequate solution.
The current location of the PE Tank Farm forms part of phase 2 of the waterfront development which will contribute in transforming the port into a “Smart People’s Port”. The PE Waterfront project will additionally ensure the achievement of the fundamental imperatives of a developmental state by promoting social inclusivity, alleviating poverty and facilitating economic transformation by creating jobs and gender equality.
The PE Waterfront Project will additionally be a catalyst for sustainable economic development. This will be achieved by providing opportunities for expansion and growth of existing and new businesses, it will promote clean and green developments and accommodate the diverse people of the metro both culturally and economically.
Alan Straton
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