Details: Breaking News; 30 September 2018

While huge plans for the multi-million rand harbour development in Mossel Bay are enthusiastically announced by the stakeholders and port authority, locals and small business owners are hovering on the cusp between cautious optimism and concern - especially since the public and small business owners have thus far been excluded from all discussions and stakeholder meetings.

"Whilst we are hopeful that something may happen after many years of speculation, let's hope there are not too many barriers to entry for existing local tourism & hospitality establishments. "There are a lot of vested interests involved, once again, with closed meetings with the municipality being of concern. The Mossel Bay municipality rates itself as a business competing with small business - instead of an enabler of business - and I am not aware of any invitations being extended to local small businesses who are the heartbeat of tourism services to attend the 'TNPA’s business breakfast on August 22'.Here's hoping this opportunity is used to make the business environment less hostile to small businesses." Concerned local.

Development of Mossel Bay Waterfront gets the go-ahead

4 September 2018

Sessions took place on August 21 and 22, where the TNPA leadership team engaged with customers, government representatives, business sector representatives, captains of industry and media, to provide an update on strategic developments for SA’s smallest commercial port.

Chief Executive of TNPA, Shulami Qalinge, outlined TNPA’s plans for a multimillion-rand transformation of the harbour that would include a mixed-use waterfront development, a dock for cruise line passengers to disembark and various other business opportunities.

“We are pleased to be moving forward with the Mossel Bay Waterfront to make the Port of Mossel Bay an even bigger attraction on this beautiful coastline, with a mixed-use waterfront that could include retail, commercial and industrial facilities,” said Qalinge.

She added: “A bit further down the track, we have in our sights a facility that will enable cruise passengers to disembark directly on to the quayside, instead of arriving by ferry. This is in response to calls from the Municipality and the local business community. Such a development would help to ensure that the port provides a world-class experience for the tourists who arrive by cruise ship in the Garden Route.”

Part of TNPA’s role as an implementing agent for the South African government’s Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy programme, a slipway upgrade, is in the pipeline for the port to support the local fishing industry amongst others. However, broader consultation needs to be effected in order to establish how best the project and facility could assist the Mossel Bay community. TNPA has also partnered with Petro SA through its PetroSA Centre of Excellence to train 14 learners from disadvantaged communities in the Eden District Municipality as welders, turners, fitters and boilermakers to meet the skills development objectives of the Operation Phakisa initiative.

Other speakers at TNPA’s business breakfast on August 22 included Paul Hoffman, Director of the South Cape Economic Partnership, who provided an economic overview of the Garden Route and its business climate. Remarks were also shared by Municipal Manager of Eden District Municipality, Monde Stratu, and Executive Mayor of the Mossel Bay Municipality, Alderman Harry Levendal.

TNPA’s roadshow included separate closed sessions with the Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay Municipality on the waterfront development, as well as with one of the port’s most important stakeholders, Petro SA, to discuss their strategy, future plans and joint training initiatives.

http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/183620/Development-of-Mossel-Bay-Waterfront-gets-the-go-ahead/11

Port of Mossel Bay receives multi-million rand transformation

22 August 2018 Sagree Chetty

Image: Afristay website

The expansion will increase the number of luxury ships that dock at the port.

Transnet National Ports Authority has announced a multi-million rand transformation for the Port of Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape.

The new port will include a waterfront, a dock for cruise line passengers to disembark and various other business opportunities.

The company says the facelift will be a key catalyst for economic growth in the Garden Route.

The Port of Mossel Bay is the smallest along our coastline. But big plans are in store for it in the next five years.

Transnet wants to bring it in line with other ports around the country.

Shulami Qalinge, Transnet national ports authority chief executive says: “One of the major programmes that we are looking at is the development of the waterfront at the port of Mossel Bay. It’s meant to grow the economy, its meant to grow the business at the port itself and its meant to create job opportunities for the community.”

The plans have been welcomed.

Community Leader Bongani Swartbooi says: “It’s a new development everyone has been waiting for, we are grateful. Transnet also engaged the community, requested input for this development.”

Mossel Bay Business Chamber’s Johan Claassen says: “The more we can use the harbour to do exports, imports, tourism, we can get cruise ships here and that creates jobs.”

However, businesses leasing port property fear they’ll be side-lined.

Seavuna Fishing Company’s Raymond Williams says: “It could be that our factory has to move out at some stage which is a big concern for us. Seavuna has been in the harbour for the last 30 years and provides work for hundreds of people.”

Transnet say the port’s modification is all part of their plans for radical economic transformation in the region.

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