Question No 613
Mr M S F de Freitas, Democratic Alliance (DA), to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Whether the National Ports Authority (NPA) are in discussions with a certain investment group (name furnished) to berth the QEII passenger ship permanently at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town; if not, why not; if so, (a) at what stage are these discussions and (b) what agreements have been reached to date;
(2) Whether there will be any benefits for South Africa in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the nature of these benefits;
(3) Whether a study has been undertaken in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) results and (b) recommendations of the study;
(4) Whether there are any cost implications for the (a) department, (b) province and/or (c) city; if not, why not; if so, what is the nature of these cost implications?
Reply
(1)(a-b)Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) have been approached by the operators of the QEII passenger ship to berth at the Cape Town port for a period of eighteen (18) months. TPT is currently evaluating the impact of this request on the port operations and services to regular port users. TNPA is currently assessing the risk and benefits of berthing a vessel like QEII for the requested period, and no agreements have been reached to date.
(2)The assessments referred to above, are focused on the benefits to Transnet.
(3) A study has not been undertaken on benefits that would accrue to South Africa.
(4) Cost implications have not yet been assessed.
Issued by: Department of Public Enterprises
31 August 2009
