South Africa’s state-owned logistics company, Transnet, is making significant strides with the development of a new R1.1 billion liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Durban. This ambitious project is designed to modernize the country's bulk liquid handling capacity, facilitating increased imports and exports of essential commodities such as crude oil, fuel, chemicals, and other liquid products. As part of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA)'s long-term plan, this new facility will play a pivotal role in positioning Durban as a major hub for liquid bulk cargo on the African continent. This investment is not only critical for economic growth but also presents opportunities for sustainability and logistics innovation in South Africa.
Key Features and Benefits of the New Terminal
The development of the liquid bulk terminal will be managed by Mnambithi Terminals, a joint venture partner with TNPA, and is expected to handle millions of liters of liquid bulk cargo. Located at Island View within Durban’s port precinct, the facility is strategically positioned to streamline the supply chain for industries reliant on liquid bulk imports and exports. This project aligns with the port’s larger goal of increasing operational efficiency and addressing capacity constraints.
Durban is already one of Africa’s busiest ports, and this R1.1 billion investment will reinforce its standing as a critical node in global maritime trade. The terminal will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including environmentally friendly technologies, to handle liquid products more safely and efficiently. This is in line with South Africa's green transition goals for the maritime sector, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of shipping and logistics operations.
The terminal will have storage for 100,000 cubic meters of liquid bulk, including edible oils and chemicals, catering to local industries like pulp and paper as well as exports to the rest of Africa. The facility is currently 80% leased and is projected to start operations once construction is completed in late 2025.
Strategic Importance of the Durban Liquid Bulk Terminal
The new terminal is part of a broader strategy to make South Africa a leader in logistics innovation on the African continent. With improved infrastructure and capacity, the Durban terminal will be able to handle larger volumes of imports and exports, reducing bottlenecks in the supply chain and ensuring that the country meets growing demand for bulk liquids both domestically and internationally. This project represents an opportunity for economic growth, job creation, and enhanced global trade competitiveness.
As the liquid bulk terminal gets ready to go online, it will also support the South African government’s objectives of decarbonizing maritime logistics while boosting the country's economic development. Durban’s role in the global supply chain will be strengthened as more liquid cargo is processed through this modern, efficient terminal.
Opportunities for LiquA
The introduction of the liquid bulk terminal offers a major opportunity for companies like LiquA, which specialize in innovative liquid transport solutions. LiquA, with its flexitank technology, could capitalize on the increased demand for efficient and sustainable transport methods for bulk liquids.
Flexitanks, which allow the transportation of large quantities of liquid in a single container, align perfectly with the terminal’s goals of improving the economics and sustainability of liquid transport. With the potential to move up to 27,000 liters in a single unit, flexitanks provide significant cost savings over traditional bulk liquid transport methods such as drums or intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).
Moreover, LiquA’s focus on reducing carbon emissions and minimizing the use of single-use packaging could complement the green infrastructure planned for the new terminal. LiquA could partner with Mnambithi Terminals or other operators at the Port of Durban to offer their flexitank solutions as an environmentally friendly alternative for moving products like chemicals, oils, and non-hazardous liquids.
