Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has submitted a pre-approval application to reclaim 22.4 hectares of land from coastal waters in the Port of Durban (specifically in the Point Precinct, between the existing Point multi-purpose terminal quay wall and a proposed new Point Container Terminal quay wall, covering areas D-G).
The application was published in the Government Gazette (No. 54470) on 10 April 2026 by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. It falls under section 7B(1) of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (ICM Act) and related 2018 regulations.
Project Details and Purpose
The reclamation would involve dredging and infilling with approximately 4 million cubic metres of material, primarily sourced from an authorised offshore sandwinning site near the port entrance. If more material is needed, TNPA may extend the existing site or identify a new one.
The reclaimed land would support:
- A new quay wall and berths for container vessels.
- Infrastructure to handle ultra-large container ships (ULCS).
- Operating harbour cranes.
- Container stacking yards for imports and exports.
- Reserved land and water areas for future expansion.
This forms part of TNPA’s broader KZN Ports Master Plan, which aims to reconfigure the Port of Durban (and Richards Bay) to position Durban as South Africa’s primary container hub, serving the country and southern Africa. The goal is to boost container throughput toward 10–11 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), improve efficiency, reduce logistical costs, and support economic growth by consolidating container operations in the Point area into a unified Point Container Terminal.
Environmental and Regulatory Process
Reclamation creates new land in what is currently sea (public property), so the ICM Act requires ministerial pre-approval with public consultation. Potential impacts include temporary effects on benthic sediments, increased water turbidity during dredging/infilling, and short-term effects on fish stocks in the harbour.
This pre-approval is separate from a full environmental authorisation under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), which will also be required before work begins.
Public Comment Period
A 60-day public comment window is open (starting from the Gazette publication or newspaper notice, whichever is later). Written representations or comments can be submitted to:
- Email: reclamation@dffe.gov.za
- Hand delivery: Deputy Director-General, Attention: Mr Ryan Peter, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Branch: Oceans and Coasts, East Pier Building No. 1, East Pier Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8000.
- Enquiries: Mr Ryan Peter (079 501 8709).
The full pre-approval application documents (including maps) are available on the DFFE website (www.dffe.gov.za under gazetted notices for Transnet Durban harbour land reclamation) or by request. Comments and responses will be collated into a public report.
This is an early-stage application focused on in-principle approval for reclaiming the sea area. Actual construction would follow further approvals and environmental processes.
