Summary
With the appointment of the board, the TNPA is now operational and has already appointed a private consortium for Richard Bay's LNG terminal.
View DetailsIs it working?
The TNPA has appointed Vopak Terminal Durban & Transnet Pipelines (TPL) Consortium Venture as the preferred bidder to develop and operate a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Richards Bay. Further concessioning plans are in place.
Actions
TNPA board appointed.
Are there plans?
Transnet unbundling process.
Is it on the agenda?
To transform Transnet's port services.
Goals
The board of directors of the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) has been appointed.
References
Summary
Mandated by the National Ports Act of 2005, corporatisation has stalled for nearly 20 years. President Ramaphosa revived it in June 2021, with a target for completion by April 2025. However, in April 2025, TNPA reported further delays to the Ports Regulator, citing concerns over Transnet’s financial stability. A ministerial Task Team is now working on a plan to complete corporatisation without harming Transnet’s finances.
View DetailsIs it working?
Corporatisation is not yet in place, so its impact cannot be measured. Continued delays - now extended to at least September 2025 - have raised doubts about TNPA’s legal status, with some arguing that contracts signed since 2006 could be challenged as the authority still operates as a division, not a subsidiary as the law requires. The immediate risk is prolonged regulatory limbo that deters investment and delays broader logistics sector reforms, requiring urgent ministerial intervention to either resolve the financial blockages or redesign the corporatisation model.
Actions
•The National Ports Act of 2005 was enacted, providing the legal mandate •Presidential announcement and ministerial approval were secured •Transnet Board has approved disposal plans for non-core assets as part of the process •The Ports Regulator has developed regulatory frameworks and methodologies •A ministerial Task Team has been appointed to address financial sustainability concerns •Work is underway on the Memorandum of Incorporation and registration documentation.
Are there plans?
Yes, forms part of freight logistics roadmap and OV2.0. In May 2025, after missing the April deadline, the Minister of Transport has appointed a task team to find solutions that protect Transnet's financial sustainability but no new timeline has been established. Technical preparations continue with the Memorandum of Incorporation under development and asset disposal plans approved, though Transnet has yet to finalise its non-core asset list.
Is it on the agenda?
Corporatisation remains firmly on the agenda, backed by the Sona framework, Operation Vulindlela, the Freight Logistics Roadmap and National Treasury’s conditions for Transnet guarantees. The legal framework exists, the Ports Regulator has set asset valuation rules and tariff methods and Transnet is preparing the Memorandum of Incorporation and registration. The Transnet Board has approved disposal of non-core assets to support the shift.
Goals
The corporatisation of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) aims to make it financially independent, generate its own revenue and attract investment to boost port efficiency and trade competitiveness. Separating the port owner and operator into distinct subsidiaries shou is intended to strengthen TNPA’s regulatory oversight, foster private sector competition, cut costs and lift South African export competitiveness.
References
Summary
Mandated by the National Ports Act of 2005, corporatisation has stalled for nearly 20 years. President Ramaphosa revived it in June 2021, with a target for completion by April 2025. However, in April 2025, TNPA reported further delays to the Ports Regulator, citing concerns over Transnet’s financial stability. A ministerial Task Team is now working on a plan to complete corporatisation without harming Transnet’s finances.
View DetailsIs it working?
Corporatisation is not yet in place, so its impact cannot be measured. Continued delays - now extended to at least September 2025 - have raised doubts about TNPA’s legal status, with some arguing that contracts signed since 2006 could be challenged as the authority still operates as a division, not a subsidiary as the law requires. The immediate risk is prolonged regulatory limbo that deters investment and delays broader logistics sector reforms, requiring urgent ministerial intervention to either resolve the financial blockages or redesign the corporatisation model.
Actions
•The National Ports Act of 2005 was enacted, providing the legal mandate •Presidential announcement and ministerial approval were secured •Transnet Board has approved disposal plans for non-core assets as part of the process •The Ports Regulator has developed regulatory frameworks and methodologies •A ministerial Task Team has been appointed to address financial sustainability concerns •Work is underway on the Memorandum of Incorporation and registration documentation.
Are there plans?
Yes, forms part of freight logistics roadmap and OV2.0. In May 2025, after missing the April deadline, the Minister of Transport has appointed a task team to find solutions that protect Transnet's financial sustainability but no new timeline has been established. Technical preparations continue with the Memorandum of Incorporation under development and asset disposal plans approved, though Transnet has yet to finalise its non-core asset list.
Is it on the agenda?
Corporatisation remains firmly on the agenda, backed by the Sona framework, Operation Vulindlela, the Freight Logistics Roadmap and National Treasury’s conditions for Transnet guarantees. The legal framework exists, the Ports Regulator has set asset valuation rules and tariff methods and Transnet is preparing the Memorandum of Incorporation and registration. The Transnet Board has approved disposal of non-core assets to support the shift.
Goals
The corporatisation of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) aims to make it financially independent, generate its own revenue and attract investment to boost port efficiency and trade competitiveness. Separating the port owner and operator into distinct subsidiaries shou is intended to strengthen TNPA’s regulatory oversight, foster private sector competition, cut costs and lift South African export competitiveness.
References
Summary
With the appointment of the board, the TNPA is now operational and has already appointed a private consortium for Richard Bay's LNG terminal.
View DetailsIs it working?
The TNPA has appointed Vopak Terminal Durban & Transnet Pipelines (TPL) Consortium Venture as the preferred bidder to develop and operate a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Richards Bay. Further concessioning plans are in place.
Actions
TNPA board appointed.
Are there plans?
Transnet unbundling process.
Is it on the agenda?
To transform Transnet's port services.
Goals
The Board of Directors of the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) has been appointed.
References
Summary
With the appointment of the board, the TNPA is now operational and has already appointed a private consortium for Richard Bay's LNG terminal.
View DetailsIs it working?
The TNPA has appointed Vopak Terminal Durban & Transnet Pipelines (TPL) Consortium Venture as the preferred bidder to develop and operate a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Richards Bay. Further concessioning plans are in place.
Actions
TNPA board appointed.
Are there plans?
Transnet unbundling process.
Is it on the agenda?
To transform Transnet's port services.
Goals
The Board of Directors of the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) has been appointed.
References
Summary
With the appointment of the board, the TNPA is now operational and has already appointed a private consortium for Richard Bay's LNG terminal.
View DetailsIs it working?
The TNPA has appointed Vopak Terminal Durban & Transnet Pipelines (TPL) Consortium Venture as the preferred bidder to develop and operate a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Richards Bay. Further concessioning plans are in place.
Actions
TNPA board appointed.
Are there plans?
Transnet unbundling process.
Is it on the agenda?
To transform Transnet's port services.
Goals
The Board of Directors of the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) has been appointed.
References
Summary
With the appointment of the board, the TNPA is now operational and has already appointed a private consortium for Richard Bay's LNG terminal.
View DetailsIs it working?
The TNPA has appointed Vopak Terminal Durban & Transnet Pipelines (TPL) Consortium Venture as the preferred bidder to develop and operate a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Richards Bay. Further concessioning plans are in place.
Actions
TNPA board appointed.
Are there plans?
Transnet unbundling process.
Is it on the agenda?
To transform Transnet's port services.
Goals
The Board of Directors of the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) has been appointed.
References
Summary
A temporary Infrastructure Manager (IM) within Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has been established with the aim of creating a level playing field for public and private operators on the rail network. It is still to become permanent.
View DetailsIs it working?
No results yet.
Actions
Reforming the railway network and paving the way for private players to operate not yet finalised.
Are there plans?
Part of the freight logistics roadmap and strategy emanating from the White Paper on National Rail.
Is it on the agenda?
TFR has separated the infrastructure manager from freight operations, and will be responsible for the master schedule of the whole system.
Goals
Create permanent infrastructure manager.
Summary
A temporary Infrastructure Manager (IM) within Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has been established with the aim of creating a level playing field for public and private operators on the rail network. It is still to become permanent.
View DetailsIs it working?
No results yet.
Actions
Reforming the railway network and paving the way for private players to operate not yet finalised.
Are there plans?
Part of the freight logistics roadmap and strategy emanating from the White Paper on National Rail.
Is it on the agenda?
TFR has separated the infrastructure manager from freight operations, and will be responsible for the master schedule of the whole system.
Goals
Create permanent infrastructure manager.
Summary
A temporary Infrastructure Manager (IM) within Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has been established with the aim of creating a level playing field for public and private operators on the rail network. It is still to become permanent.
View DetailsIs it working?
No results yet.
Actions
Reforming the railway network and paving the way for private players to operate not yet finalised.
Are there plans?
Part of the freight logistics roadmap and strategy emanating from the White Paper on National Rail.
Is it on the agenda?
TFR has separated the infrastructure manager from freight operations, and will be responsible for the master schedule of the whole system.
Goals
Create permanent infrastructure manager.
Summary
A temporary Infrastructure Manager (IM) within Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has been established with the aim of creating a level playing field for public and private operators on the rail network. It is still to become permanent.
View DetailsIs it working?
No results yet.
Actions
Reforming the railway network and paving the way for private players to operate not yet finalised.
Are there plans?
Part of the freight logistics roadmap and strategy emanating from the White Paper on National Rail.
Is it on the agenda?
TFR has separated the infrastructure manager from freight operations, and will be responsible for the master schedule of the whole system.
Goals
Create permanent infrastructure manager.
Summary
A temporary Infrastructure Manager (IM) within Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has been established with the aim of creating a level playing field for public and private operators on the rail network. It is still to become permanent.
View DetailsIs it working?
No results yet.
Actions
Reforming the railway network and paving the way for private players to operate not yet finalised.
Are there plans?
Part of the freight logistics roadmap and strategy emanating from the White Paper on National Rail.
Is it on the agenda?
TFR has separated the infrastructure manager from freight operations, and will be responsible for the master schedule of the whole system.
Goals
Create permanent infrastructure manager.
Summary
A temporary Infrastructure Manager (IM) within Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has been established with the aim of creating a level playing field for public and private operators on the rail network. It is still to become permanent.
View DetailsIs it working?
No results yet.
Actions
Reforming the railway network and paving the way for private players to operate not yet finalised.
Are there plans?
Part of the freight logistics roadmap and strategy emanating from the White Paper on National Rail.
Is it on the agenda?
TFR has separated the infrastructure manager from freight operations, and will be responsible for the master schedule of the whole system.
Goals
Create permanent infrastructure manager.
Summary
A temporary Infrastructure Manager (IM) within Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has been established with the aim of creating a level playing field for public and private operators on the rail network. It is still to become permanent.
View DetailsIs it working?
No results yet.
Actions
Reforming the railway network and paving the way for private players to operate not yet finalised.
Are there plans?
Part of the freight logistics roadmap and strategy emanating from the White Paper on National Rail.
Is it on the agenda?
TFR has separated the infrastructure manager from freight operations, and will be responsible for the master schedule of the whole system.
Goals
Create permanent infrastructure manager.