SOUTH AFRICA – TNPA ADVANCES SHIP REPAIR CAPACITY EXPANSION AT THE PORT OF CAPE TOWN
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has advanced plans to expand ship repair capacity at the Port of Cape Town with the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a suitable facility operator to design, finance, construct, operate, maintain and decommission a floating dry dock under a 25-year concession.
The project forms part of TNPA’s Ship Repair and Marine Manufacturing Strategy, which seeks to position South Africa as a leading centre of excellence in ship repair and marine manufacturing on the African continent and in the Southern Hemisphere.
The RFP invites experienced investors and operators to partner with TNPA to deliver modern dry-docking infrastructure that will significantly increase the Port of Cape Town’s capacity to service an increasing number of regional and international vessels. The initiative is part of TNPA’s broader strategy to transform and expand South Africa’s marine manufacturing and ship repair capabilities through private-sector-participation, while strengthening Cape Town’s position as a leading maritime repair hub on one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Demand for ship repair services continues to grow, driven by increased regional trade and increasing vessel traffic along the Cape Sea route. The additional capacity provided by the floating dry dock will enable the port to respond to growing market demand and strengthen its competitiveness as a preferred ship repair destination.
The new floating dry dock is anticipated to incorporate energy-efficient technologies, climate-resilient design principles, and modern safety systems to support efficient operations. These enhancements will advance the Port of Cape Town’s long-term resilience and provide modern infrastructure capable of meeting the evolving needs of the maritime industry.
Acting Port Manager for the Port of Cape Town, Ophelia Shabane, said: “The Port of Cape Town has long played a significant role in supporting the maritime industry through its ship repair facilities. This concession project presents an opportunity to not only increase capacity but to also enhance our service offering to customers and reinforce Cape Town’s position as a competitive maritime repair hub. Beyond infrastructure development, the concession is expected to deliver significant socio-economic benefits through job creation, skills development, supplier development and greater participation by local enterprises across the marine engineering and ship repair value chain.”
Once operational, the floating dry dock will support a range of ship repair activities, including hull maintenance, machinery and equipment overhauls, steelwork inspection as well as repair and specialised maintenance services.
A non-compulsory briefing session for prospective bidders will be held on 3 September 2026, with proposals closing on 14 December 2026. The RFP documents are available on the National Treasury’s e-Tender Portal and on the Transnet website.
Source : TNPA
