TRANSNET Group Chief Executive Portia Derby recently visited the Port of Richards Bay to speak to local government and business leaders on the prospects of partnering for the growth and development of the city’s economy.
The visit was part of her ongoing engagements with stakeholders to enhance cooperation in areas where Transnet operates.
Richards Bay is South Africa’s premier bulk port, and the most modern. It was commissioned in 1976 for the purpose of exporting coal from the Mpumalanga province and has since diversified to other dry bulk cargoes, liquid bulk, and break bulk commodities.
Derby received briefings from employees in the operating divisions, to better understand the operational challenges with a view to ensuring operations are at an optimal level.
“Richards Bay is a critical part of the economy, and we would like to partner with the district to drive growth, in line with the President’s District Development Model,” she said.
Derby also held discussions with the Executive Mayor of the King Cetshwayo District Municipally, Nonhle Mkhulisi; the Mayor of the City of Umhlathuze, Mduduzi Mhlongo, as well as the management of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ).
“There are fantastic opportunities available here which we can together explore, including working with the Richards Bay IDZ to help them deliver on their investment pipeline. This also provides us with an opportunity to look at social infrastructure investments to benefit local communities,” Derby said.
