Mayor welcomes Port of Cape Town call for private sector partners

20 July 2026

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed Transnet’s call for private sector partners to redevelop and operate a key multi-purpose terminal at the Port of Cape Town.

The City has been advocating for Transnet to accelerate plans to improve efficiency at the port, which ranked last in the latest World Bank Container Port Performance Index (CPPI).
 
‘We welcome Transnet’s call for private sector partners to upgrade and operate the multipurpose terminal at the Port of Cape Town – this is exactly the major reform we in the City have long been calling for.
 
‘A more efficient port means more job-creating economic growth for Cape Town. We are optimistic about an economic boost for our region due to greater private sector involvement at the port, as well as Transnet’s R3,4bn in capital investments to improve operations.
 
‘The City will continue to provide its full support to Transnet’s efforts to expand and improve port operations,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
 
Transnet’s latest request for proposals is for private sector partners to redevelop and operate Cape Town’s multipurpose port terminal under a 25 year concession. This follows further recent calls for private sector proposals to operate the Liquid Bulk Terminal and cold storage terminal.
 
Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth, said port efficiency remains a top concern for business in the region.
 
‘In our engagements with businesses, exporters, and investors, one issue consistently rises to the top of the agenda: the performance of the Port of Cape Town. Whether it is agricultural producers trying to get fresh produce to overseas markets, manufacturers moving goods through supply chains, or logistics operators attempting to plan with certainty - their message is remarkably consistent. The port remains one of the biggest constraints on economic growth in the Western Cape.
 
‘Cape Town should have one of the most efficient ports on the African continent. We are strategically located on one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. We are home to a diverse and growing economy, world-class industries and a globally recognised tourism destination. We believe that with continued reforms, Cape Town’s port can be a competitive advantage that strengthens our position as a leading hub for trade and investment, rather than a bottleneck that constrains growth,’ said Alderman Vos.
 
Research commissioned by the Western Cape Government found that a more efficient Port of Cape Town could unlock approximately R6 billion in additional exports, support nearly 20 000 jobs, generate more than R1,6 billion in additional tax revenue and add meaningful growth to the provincial economy.
 

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office