South Africa’s automotive industry is on the brink of a significant transformation with the proposed development of the Port of Gauteng (PoG). This inland logistics hub promises to reshape the way vehicles and goods move between the country’s coastal ports and its economic heartland.
Asked about the proposed project, Justin Schmidt (Manufacturing, Renewable Energy and Transport Logistics at Absa Business Banking) says any investment in infrastructure in South Africa will create efficiencies that will benefit the economy on a broader scale with a positive influence on the GDP. He emphasised that the scale of the project will have a knock-on effect across multiple sectors.
The project is driven by NT55 Investments. The PoG will be strategically located at the junction of the N3, N12 and N17 highways, as well as the Container Rail Corridor. This positioning places it at the centre of South Africa’s transport network.
This will ensure a more efficient access to their respective services and markets. Freight by rail will have a positive outcome and will open up new opportunities for role players in the current way goods are transported and handled between the coast and inland.”
The R50 billion project will cover 1 400 hectares and is described as the country’s largest inland logistics hub. It is designed to ease the burden on the Durban Gauteng freight corridor, where currently less than 14 per cent of freight moves by rail, far below the National Development Plan’s target of 50 per cent.
For the automotive industry, the PoG represents a strategic win. A world class car terminal and container rail terminal will support the import and distribution of completely built-up vehicles and components. By shifting customs clearance and container storage inland, congestion at Durban will be reduced, while importers and distributors benefit from faster processing.
The hub is expected to cut heavy truck traffic on the N3 by up to one third, improving road safety and reducing emissions. Sustainability measures such as solar power generation and rainwater harvesting are also planned.
Beyond logistics, the project is projected to create around 50 000 permanent jobs, with thousands more during construction. With completion expected in phases from 2027, the Port of Gauteng could redefine South Africa’s automotive logistics, offering faster distribution, lower costs and greater resilience for the industry.
Read the full article on our sister publication, Dealerfloor, at: https://dealerfloor.co.za/industry-news/inland-port-to-drive-south-africas-automotive-and-logistics-transformation
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
