Name of the Project
Boegoebaai deep-water port project.

Location
Boegoebaai, in the Northern Cape of in South Africa, near the Namibian border.

Project Owner/s
State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

Project Description
TNPA has started a preliminary process for the proposed development of a new deep-water port at Boegoebaai, which has been earmarked as a possible hub for the production and export of green hydrogen and derivative products.

The TNPA released a request for qualification (RFQ) in August 2022 for the design, funding and construction of the proposed greenfield port and rail infrastructure as a precursor to a possible future request for proposals (RFPs).

The RFQ is intended to obtain information to outline the final solution, as well as identify and select qualifying developers who could undertake the design, funding and construction of the port and associated infrastructure, including a rail solution to connect the port to mining and industrial hubs in the Northern Cape.

The submission of an RFQ response, together with meeting the minimum capability criteria, is a compulsory requirement to participate in any subsequent RFP.

The TNPA has set November 2 as the closing date for submissions. Respondents will not have to pay any monies to submit an RFQ response.

Sasol, which has material green hydrogen ambitions of its own, confirmed last year that it had signed an agreement with the Northern Cape Development Agency to lead a feasibility study to explore the potential of the site as an export hub for green hydrogen and ammonia.

The investment in the proposed port could also provide an additional, cost-effective channel for manganese exporters in the province, and provide much-needed relief to emerging miners who are restricted by high road-transportation costs and no access to current export channels, owing to capacity constraints.

Potential Job Creation
To be determined.

Capital Expenditure
To be determined.

Planned Start/End Date
The TNPA aims to operationalise a port in the region by 2026.

Latest Developments
TNPA has shortlisted three consortiums – Boegoebaai Port & Rail Consortium, the Boegoebaai Development Consortium and the Project Elephant Consortium – to participate in an upcoming bidding process to design, fund and build a greenfield deep-water port at Boegoebaai, as well as rail infrastructure linking the port to mines in the province.

The three consortiums were selected following a request for qualification process initiated in August last year, which attracted eight respondents.

Boegoebaai programme director Magenthran Ruthenavelu has indicated that the port and rail infrastructure will provide another export channel for mining commodities, such as manganese, and a possible outlet for the export of green-hydrogen derivatives such as green ammonia.

A RFPs will now be issued to the qualifying respondents but no timeframe has as yet been provided for bid submission, financial close and construction.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
TNPA, tel +27 11 351 9001.