Transnet responds to dig out port protestors

TRANSNET has issued a response to the mass protest in the Durban CBD on Saturday, 29 March, led by the South Durban Environmental Alliance (SDCEA).
The parastatal claims the proposed Durban dig out port will provide jobs, boost commerce and follow strict ‘green-port’ principles.

Transnet officials said they believe the Durban dig out port (DDOP) will provide much-needed financial support to the region, as well as providing jobs for the local market.

“Initial viability studies indicate the proposed DDOP will result in about R11,3-billion per annum being added to KZN’s GDP. Approximately 46,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs are expected to be created in KZN; per annum averaged over the first 30 years of the project,” said Marc Descoins, programme director for the DDOP.
To address the confusion as to the realities of the proposed dig out port and the expansion of the existing harbour, they have offered the following comment:
“The plans to expand the port of Durban are entirely separate to the proposed Durban dig out port (DDOP) development.

The DDOP is a proposed new port development situated at the site of old Durban International Airport, which was bought from Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) in 2012. The DDOP will primarily be a container port that is expected to facilitate increased international trade in general cargo, not petro-chemicals. It will be located adjacent to already-existing refineries and oil storage facilities owned and operated by various oil companies. Nevertheless, Transnet has committed itself to utilise the latest green-port principles during the development, construction and operation of the port, which will encompass internationally benchmarked standards of sustainable design and operation.

The DDOP is still in the planning (pre-feasibility) phase and any potential impact on the livelihoods in surrounding communities still needs to be ascertained. This will be done during the environmental impact assessment (EIA), which has not yet commenced. The purpose of the EIA will be to identify any potential positive as well as negative effects of the proposed development on surrounding communities, as well as the environment. All of these issues will be addressed during the design phase of the port, in accordance with internationally-benchmarked principles of sustainability.

It is also important to note that the proposed DDOP is expected to realise very positive impacts for the South Durban Basin (SDB) and eThekwini as a whole. The proposed development of the DDOP will add to the city’s infrastructure proposition and thus be an important catalyst for attracting additional investment, thereby creating economic growth and jobs for its people, particularly those residing in the SDB.

Low income households in South Africa are expected to benefit to the tune of about R1,6-billion per annum due to the port development (annual average over the project life-cycle).”

In response to the protest, Transnet officials said they believe it is a democratic right for any activist group to protest as it encourages robust discussion as well as the exchange of diverse ideas.