KwaZulu-Natal Business 2016-17 edition

Ports Authority with great potential
to play a key role in the shaping
of South Africa’s future growth
and prosperity.
The combination of specialised
cargo-handling facilities, fast
vessel turnaround, deep-water
infrastructure, excellent rail links
to the hinterland and the large
greenfield development potential,
has made the port one of
the world’s leading bulk ports,
handling in excess of 80-million
tons annually, representing approximately
60% of South Africa’s
seaborne cargo.
year. The harbour’s motor vehicle terminal handles
two-thirds of all motor vehicles entering or leaving
South Africa. In February 2013, the terminal set a
new record in Transnet Por Terminal’s automotive
history handling 39 749 units in a single month. The
port also boasts a sugar terminal that is responsible
for 65% of all the country’s sugar exports. Durban’s
direct link to worldwide ports and its reputation for
serving the shipping industry is unmatched by any
other port in South Africa.
Richards Bay harbour
The port is one of South Africa’s eight operational
commercial ports under the auspices of the National
Special Economic Zones
Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
are loosely defined as designated areas in countries
that possess special economic regulations that are
different from other areas in the same city. Moreover,
these regulations tend to contain measures that are
conducive to foreign direct investment. Conducting
business in an SEZ usually means that a company
will receive tax incentives and the opportunity to
pay lower taxes.
In KZN, SEZs are viewed as critical, not only in stimulating
export growth, but also job creation, foreign
exchange earnings, industrial decentralisation, access
to foreign manufacturing technology and know-how.
The approach to growing the KZN economy
firmly revolves around infrastructure development,
21 KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS 2016/17