Name of the Project
Richards Bay liquid natural gas (LNG) bulk terminal.

Location
Port of Richards Bay’s South Dunes precinct, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET), a joint venture between Dutch company Vopak Terminal Durban and State-owned entity Transnet Pipelines, which is responsible for South Africa’s strategic fuel pipeline assets.

Project Description
ZET officially signed the terminal operator agreement with South African State-owned entity Transnet National Ports Authority to design, develop, build, finance, operate and maintain the LNG terminal for 25 years in February 2025. The liquid bulk terminal will serve as a catalytic project for the Port of Richards Bay masterplans, which form part of the larger KwaZulu-Natal Logistics Hub Programme.

The project will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 involves the development of a floating storage unit (FSU) with a capacity of 135 000 m³ to 174 000 m³, onshore regasification infrastructure capable of producing 400-million standard cubic feet a day, and optional truck loading facilities. A new pipeline connection will link the terminal to the Lilly pipeline through Empangeni, with a tie-in point for Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone customers. Phase 2 entails the construction of an onshore storage tank with a capacity of up to 220 000 m³, replacing the FSU. This phase will increase send-out capacity to about 60-million standard cubic feet a day, accommodating planned gas-to-power projects in Richards Bay and future gas users nationwide.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
The commercial operation date for Phase 1 is targeted for 2028.

Latest Developments
A final investment decision is expected in 2026, contingent on timely customer commitments.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Wood (pre-front-end engineering design).

Contact Details for Project Information
Vopak Terminal Durban, tel +27 31 4669200 or email Thembani Mazibuko at thembani.mazibuko@vopak.com. ZET, email info@zlet.co.za/commercial@zlet.co.za;or Samukelisiwe Mabele tel +27 63 012 3673/Mfundo Ndwandwe tel +27 83 555 7459.