The South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) has welcomed the appointment of an inaugural board of directors for the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) and has assured the TNPA board of its cooperation and partnership to achieve a world-class port system that can serve the needs of the country and the region.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan last week announced the appointment of TNPA CEO Pepi Silinga and CFO Lionel Billings as executive directors of the board, while Zodwa Mlangeni, Valda Gossmann, Nozipho Mdawe, Sue Lund, Velile Dube, Khomotso Phihlela and Clarence Benjamin have been appointed as nonexecutive directors. 

Sapia says it recognises the vital role that the ports play in ensuring security of supply, as they are the main gateway for the import of petroleum products and the export of other commodities. They need to be efficient, reliable and competitive to meet the demands of the market.

“The appointment of the TNPA board comes at a time when Sapia is making necessary strides to ensure the security of supply with the Island View Precinct (IVP), which is seen as a strategic hub for the supply and distribution of petroleum products and chemicals in South Africa.”

IVP handles most of the country’s imports of these commodities and serves the major demand markets, which is the country's economic backbone. The security of tenure at IVP is critical to ensure this security of supply, Sapia emphasised.

“Sapia has been advocating for a fair and transparent process for leases at port facilities, as this will ensure that its members can continue to operate safely and sustainably at all ports in the country. Sapia believes that a clear and consistent leasing framework will provide certainty and stability for members and other port users, as well as attract investment and create jobs in the port sector,” it said.

Further, Sapia said it wants to work with the TNPA and other stakeholders to achieve a world-class port system that can serve the needs of the country and the region. It also reaffirms its compliance with broad-based black economic empowerment requirements and support for black and historically disadvantaged individual-owned service providers within IVP.

“We are committed to the transformation of the ports system, as it supports the government’s efforts to reform the transport sector and improve the performance of the ports.

“We welcome the appointment of the new board of directors of TNPA as a critical step in this direction and support the initiative to open access to third-party port operators to enhance competition, innovation, and efficiency in the port services,” said Sapia executive director Avhapfani Tshifularo.

Sapia remains committed to the transformation of the ports system, as it recognises the benefits of having a modern and inclusive port sector that can support the growth and diversification of the petroleum industry, he added.

“Sapia wishes the new TNPA board success in their mandate and assures them of its cooperation and partnership in advancing the interests of the port sector and the country. We look forward to working with the new board and other stakeholders to achieve a world-class port system that can serve the needs of the country and the region,” Tshifularo said.