Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has appointed FFS Tank Terminal as the preferred bidder to develop and operate a liquid bulk terminal specialising in bunker fuels on a brownfield site at the Port of Richards Bay previously operated by Engen.

The appointment follows a competitive bidding process initiated in September last year for a 25-year terminal concession.

FFS Tank Terminal reportedly has multiple manufacturing sites, storage facilities and tank farms across the country and handles products such as heavy fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal tar fuel, and distillate fuel oil.

The concession is TNPA’s first brownfield project being pursued in line with the Richards Bay Port Master Plan, which seeks to increase the liquid bulk volume and revenue at the ports South Dunes Precinct.

Port of Richards Bay port manager Dennis Mqadi described the award as a milestone, which he said also underlined TNPA’s commitment to reposition the port as a dry bulk and LNG hub.

In January, TNPA announced the selection of the Vopak & TPL Consortium Venture to design, develop, construct, finance, operate and maintain an LNG terminal, also in the South Dunes precinct, for a period of 25 years.