Plans afoot to demolish Ocean Terminal Building

PLANS to demolish Durban’s Ocean Terminal Building have received a green light. This is according to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) which shared plans to redevelop the Point Precinct in the Port of Durban in support of the Kwazulu-Natal Port Master Plan.

In a statement, TNPA said this is in line with its core mandate of enabling economic growth and security of supply through infrastructure fit for purpose as outlined in the National Ports Act (the Act).

“The redevelopment of the precinct will require various buildings and structures to be demolished to create the proposed terminal capacities. Several of the buildings and structures are over 60 years old and, as prescribed by the National Heritage Resources Act and the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute (Amafa) Act, must submit a demolition application to Amafa that will be subject to a public process for comments, objections and support,” said TNPA.

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The Ocean Terminal Building (OTB) Complex Demolishing Application was submitted by TNPA to Amafa in November 2022. According to TNPA, a public meeting, hosted by Amafa, was held on February 21 for respondents to table their objections and comments.

TNPA added that the port will commence with plans to demolish the D/E, L, M and N Sheds, the MHA Building, OTB, Durmarine Building, the Schoeman’s bridge and spiral ramp, following Amafa’s decision to grant permission. This will be preceded by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and conducted in a phased approach over a 12-month period. Demolition is expected to commence in April 2024.

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“The successful implementation of the Point Precinct’s redevelopment will have a significantly positive socio-economic impact for not only the City of Durban but also for the province of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa as a whole. We anticipate the creation of about 500 000 000 direct and indirect employment opportunities throughout the implementation of the KZN Logistics Hub, which will improve the lives and livelihoods of the economically disenfranchised people of South Africa. On the basis of 6 to 8 members per family, the lives of three million people will be positively impacted,” said Mpumi Dweba-Kwetana, port manager at the Port of Durban.