The OR Tambo district municipality has announced that the construction of the Port St Johns harbour project is moving closer to implementation, with an estimated cost of R220.13m. The project is part of the Small Harbours Development Programme, aimed at strengthening the ocean economy, creating jobs, and improving maritime infrastructure. The programme is a long-term strategy to grow the ocean economy, and the Port St Johns harbour project is one of three small harbours planned for Eastern Cape coastal towns.
The estimated cost of the project is divided into three phases, with Phase 1 expected to cost R72.4m, Phase 2 estimated at R43.61m, and Phase 3 estimated at R104.1m. However, the municipality has cautioned that these figures are indicative and may change. Phase 0 of the project will involve detailed planning, technical studies, design, and costing, which will determine the final scope of the project and associated costs.
A project steering committee has been established to oversee the development of the harbour, and an application is being prepared to the National Treasury Budget Facility for Infrastructure Fund to unlock funding for implementation. The municipality has also forged inter-municipal coastal collaboration with the eThekwini and Buffalo City metros to leverage coastal synergies and promote local economic development programmes.
The district municipality's investment in the oceans economy is already yielding results, with refrigerated containers and fishing equipment placed with co-operatives in several areas. Seven Port St Johns fishing co-operatives, working with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and REEKASEED, have exported two consignments of their catch to overseas markets, and the Tsweleni fishing facility is now operational.
The envisaged development of the harbour is broader than simply establishing a berthing point, and will involve the creation of an accessible harbour site, upgrading of the harbour precinct, and the infrastructure required to connect and support the harbour. The detailed configuration of facilities at the harbour will only be determined through the technical planning and design process.
The Port St Johns harbour project is one of three small harbours planned for Eastern Cape coastal towns, with Mbizana and Hamburg also part of the network of proposed developments. The full Small Harbours Development Programme is estimated to cost as much as R7.1bn across four coastal provinces, and is intended to stimulate economic growth through investment in fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and marine-related services.
Key points
- The construction of the Port St Johns harbour project is expected to cost R220.13m and will be implemented in phases.
- The project is part of the Small Harbours Development Programme, aimed at strengthening the ocean economy and creating jobs.
- The harbour project will involve the creation of an accessible harbour site, upgrading of the harbour precinct, and the infrastructure required to connect and support the harbour.
