Trade performance is growing in South Africa with the opening of one of Africa’s few deep-water harbours in Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth.
Trade performance is growing in South Africa with the opening of one of Africa’s few deep-water harbours in Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth.
Ngqura, the name of the harbour, was launched in October 2009 and has since allowed for large commercial container vessels to pass through. According to a Transnet statement cited by business.iafrica.com, the new deep-water harbour will be able to accommodate ships that are carrying 6 000 – 10 000 twenty-foot shipping containers.
The initiative behind the construction of this mega harbour is to boost the economy in the Eastern Cape. In terms of the impact on trade, this harbour serves as a new technical innovation that promises to increase exports and stimulate economic growth.
Ngqura is situated in the Coega Industrial Development Zone which provides access to road and rail freight transport. This means that once the containers are offloaded they can easily be transported to the destination which they are set for.
Technological innovation such as this harbour play a vital role in a country’s competitiveness regarding trade on the international stage. South Africa can now harbour larger ships and this is attracting trade opportunities. It is especially useful for ships which can now dock at this port rather than risk the pirate riddled coast of Senegal.
This competitive advantage over countries similar to South Africa puts us on the international map regarding our trading capabilities and trade accommodating infrastructure. A project the size of Ngqura also brings about many local job opportunities as well as bringing skilled labour from other parts of the country into the district. An increase in labour of this stature economically boosts the region.
With the world class harbour already in action and South Africa being put on the international map, trade is moving forward, fast!
