A giant, ultra-modern inland freight port is to be developed east of Johannesburg early next year at a cost of more than R1-billion.
The Tambo Springs inland port, to be developed by the Inframax group on more than 1000ha alongside the N3, near Vosloorus township, is being built to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for freight and other logistics services in Gauteng.
Elaborating on the Department of Economic Development's plans for the 2011-2012 fiscal year yesterday, MEC for economic development Qedani Mahlangu said the port, the construction of which is to begin in March next year, would create about 50000 jobs.
"As a result of the efforts of the province and Ekurhuleni [municipality], working closely with the private sector, ground [breaking] is scheduled for the end of March 2012.
"This project will contribute significantly to ensuring that there are efficiencies in the logistics and will compare with the best in the world," Mahlangu said.
The port will serve Gauteng's industrial areas and transportation hubs, he said.
It will also facilitate the establishment of a high-speed freight rail service between Gauteng and the deep-water port at Ngqura, in Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth.
This, Mahlangu said, would remove about 100000 trucks from the roads, which would help to reduce emissions.
