Thabu Siwedi

Annex · Transnet PSP

Dated SAST

Thabu SiwediAnnex A · Reviewed

A

Transnet PSP: the public record

Private sector participation at Transnet. Every process, where it stands, from published sources only.

Processes
13
Preferred bidder or later
4
In the market
6
Being structured
3

A.1

Where each process stands

Authority13 shown

Moved in the 30 days to review

RFI: request for information. RFQ: request for qualification. RFP: request for proposals.

Durban Gateway TerminalTPT · Port of Durban. Formerly DCT Pier 2.Operating
Latest
. ICTSI took operational control.
Model
Joint venture company. Transnet keeps 50% plus one share; ICTSI holds 49.99% and runs the terminal.
Term
25 years
Figures
Capacity 2.0m TEU a year, target 2.8m. ICTSI investment about R11bn (as reported).
Named in public
International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI)
Authority
Transnet Port Terminals
Third-party access to the freight networkTRIM · National rail networkSigned
Latest
. Network Statement Version 4 gazetted (Gazette 55426).
Next
Before end-2026. First private operators may begin pilot runs. Most expected on the mainline during 2027.
Model
Access agreements with private train operating companies, under the Network Statement.
Term
15 years under Network Statement Version 4, up from 10
Figures
24 Mt a year of additional freight capacity allocated.
Named in public
ARC South Africa, Barberry, Grindrod, Interlinks, IRACEMA, Menar, Minrail, Motheo Logistics, Sharp Logistics, The Railway Corporation, TLD Marine (with MSC)
Authority
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager
Edible oils terminalTNPA · Port of Cape TownPreferred bidder
Latest
. TNPA confirmed FFS Tank Terminals as preferred bidder.
Model
Concession to upgrade and operate the liquid bulk terminal.
Term
25 years
Figures
Capital and maintenance costs estimated at R102m.
Named in public
Preferred bidder: FFS Tank Terminals
Authority
Transnet National Ports Authority
Liquid bulk and green fuel terminalsTNPA · Port of Richards Bay, South Dunes precinctPreferred bidder
Latest
. Five preferred bidders announced.
Model
Five terminal concessions under section 56 of the National Ports Act. RFP issued 6 December 2023.
Term
25 years
Figures
About R17bn.
Named in public
Preferred bidders: KZN Oils, Linsen Nambi, Protank, Bidvest/Mnambithi Consortium, KNGM Engineering
Authority
Transnet National Ports Authority
LNG terminalTNPA · Port of East LondonProposals
Latest
. RFP issued. Briefing on 29 September 2026.
Next
22 February 2027. Bids close.
Model
Concession to design, finance, build, operate and maintain. The terminal passes to TNPA at the end of the term.
Term
25 years
Figures
Greenfield site of about 8,900 m². Small to medium scale.
Authority
Transnet National Ports Authority
Sources
Duncan Dock multipurpose terminalTNPA · Port of Cape TownProposals
Latest
. RFP issued. Briefing on 6 August 2026.
Next
20 November 2026. Bids close.
Model
Terminal operator concession. Containers, dry bulk and break-bulk.
Term
25 years
Figures
About 119,849 m².
Authority
Transnet National Ports Authority
LeaseCo: rolling stock leasingTransnet · South Africa and the regionProposals
Latest
. RFP issued to the two shortlisted bidders.
Next
December 2026. Bids close.
Model
Special purpose vehicle with a private majority partner. Transnet contributes a ring-fenced fleet as equity.
Figures
About 500 locomotives and 17,000 wagons. Five train operating companies secured as customers.
Named in public
Two bidders shortlisted from 14 RFQ respondents. Not named.
Authority
Transnet group
Richards Bay Dry Bulk TerminalTPT · Port of Richards BayQualification
Latest
. Pre-qualification of bidders under way. The RFQ deadline of 31 August 2026 was extended.
Next
Not published. RFP to qualified respondents.
Model
Special purpose vehicle. TPT to hold 51%.
Figures
Nameplate 18.5 Mt a year, target 26.9 Mt.
Authority
Transnet Port Terminals
Ngqura Manganese Export CorridorTPT · TFR · TNPA · TRIM · Northern Cape mines to the Port of NgquraQualification
Latest
. Pre-qualification under way.
Next
Not published. RFP to qualified respondents.
Model
Private partner to finance, develop, operate and maintain a new manganese export terminal at Ngqura, with expanded rail capacity.
Term
25 years
Figures
Up to R44bn. About 12 Mt a year initially, rising to about 16 Mt.
Authority
Transnet Port Terminals, Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet National Ports Authority, Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager
Branch lines (B-Network)TRIM · Low-density lines, nationalInformation
Latest
. RFI issued. Responses were due on 30 September 2026.
Model
Refurbishment, financing, operation and maintenance, and potential concessioning.
Figures
About 9,098 km.
Authority
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager
Ngqura Container TerminalTPT · Port of NgquraStructuring
Latest
. Options under review. No timeline given.
Model
An earlier partner search failed. TPT is weighing other PSP options before returning to market.
Authority
Transnet Port Terminals
Container corridorTransnet · Durban to JohannesburgStructuring
Latest
. In pre-procurement.
Next
Before end-2026. RFQ expected.
Model
Concession of the container rail corridor. Pre-procurement.
Authority
Transnet group
Fibre-optic networkTransnet · NationalStructuring
Latest
. Pre-procurement structuring under way.
Model
Pre-procurement structuring.
Authority
Transnet group

A.2

Next, as published

  1. 20 November 2026Duncan Dock multipurpose terminal. Bids close.
  2. December 2026LeaseCo: rolling stock leasing. Bids close.
  3. Before end-2026Container corridor. RFQ expected.
  4. Before end-2026Third-party access to the freight network. First private operators may begin pilot runs. Most expected on the mainline during 2027.
  5. 22 February 2027LNG terminal. Bids close.

A.3

Log

  1. TPT: pre-qualification under way for Richards Bay Dry Bulk and the manganese corridor. Ngqura Container Terminal options under review.Engineering News ↗
  2. RFQ issued for the Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor. 25-year partnership.Polity (Reuters) ↗
  3. Network Statement Version 4 gazetted. Access contracts extended to 15 years.Engineering News ↗
  4. RFP issued for the East London LNG terminal. Bids close 22 February 2027.Engineering News ↗
  5. Results: container corridor RFQ expected before year-end; Richards Bay Dry Bulk deadline extended; Waves 2 and 3 named.Engineering News ↗
  6. TRIM issues an RFI on some 9,098 km of branch lines.SAnews ↗
  7. RFP issued for the Duncan Dock multipurpose terminal, Cape Town. Bids close 20 November 2026.Engineering News ↗
  8. LeaseCo RFP issued to two shortlisted bidders. Bids close in December.SAnews ↗
  9. Eleven private train operators conclude access agreements with TRIM.Engineering News ↗
  10. FFS Tank Terminals confirmed as preferred bidder for the Cape Town edible oils terminal.Engineering News ↗
  11. RFQ issued for a partner in the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal.SAnews ↗
  12. ICTSI partnership at Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 begins.Engineering News ↗
  13. 25-year Pier 2 agreement with ICTSI signed.Engineering News ↗
  14. Five preferred bidders named for the Richards Bay liquid bulk and green fuel terminals.SAnews ↗

A.4

Announced, not yet in procurement

Wave 2 · Intended for private partners

  • Rail fuelling facilities
  • Rail yards and depots
  • Agriculture and multipurpose terminals
  • Gas and jet-fuel pipelines and storage

Wave 3 · Under assessment

  • Iron-ore and coal corridors, through possible strategic collaborations

Source: Engineering News, 10 Sep 2026 ↗

A.5

Editorial rule

Entries restate published sources, each linked. No entry reflects confidential information or any client’s position. Where a counterparty has not been named in public, none is named here.

Corrections and new sources: thabu@siwedi.com

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