Transnet seeks operator for LNG terminal at Port of East London
Proposals must be submitted by 22 February 2027.
SOUTH AFRICA – Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a terminal operator to design, finance, develop, construct, operate, maintain and transfer a small-to-medium-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of East London, according to a TNPA statement.
The terminal will be developed under a 25-year concession agreement on a greenfield site of approximately 8,900 square metres in the port’s West Bank precinct.
The successful bidder will develop the infrastructure required to handle small-to-medium-scale LNG imports, including associated operational and safety systems.
Project scope and timelines
The project follows TNPA’s Expression of Interest process, which received responses from potential operators interested in developing LNG infrastructure at the port.
The terminal is intended to serve niche LNG consumers and industrial users in the Eastern Cape, while supporting the diversification of the port’s infrastructure for future energy demand.
A non-compulsory briefing session will be held on 29 September 2026 at 10 am. Proposals must be submitted by 22 February 2027. The RFP documents are available on the National Treasury e-Tender Portal and the Transnet website.
Leadership comments
Dr Sphiwe Mthembu, East London port manager, said: “This initiative represents a significant milestone in unlocking new investment opportunities within the port, further advancing its long-term growth and development objectives. The LNG terminal is expected to attract private sector investment, support the development of strategic energy infrastructure, and strengthen the port’s role as a catalyst for economic growth in the region.”
“By creating an enabling environment for new industries and emerging trade opportunities, we are positioning the port to respond to evolving market needs while contributing to regional competitiveness and sustainable development.”
Economic impact
TNPA said the project is expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities in the Eastern Cape.
Moreover, the initiative is part of broader efforts to expand South Africa’s maritime and energy infrastructure, following TNPA’s August 2026 RFP for logistics sites at the Port of Durban and a R35 billion (US$2 billion) funding request submitted to the National Treasury for rail and port modernization.
The expansion reflects TNPA’s focus on attracting private-sector investment in port infrastructure, while the authority continues to prioritize regional economic growth and energy diversification.
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