Pray the News
Bay tank farm to be finally relocated to Coega -The Herald, Monday, 30 June

Background
"The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced the long-delayed relocation of the Dom Pedro liquid bulk terminal from the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura, with future operations set to be privatized. On June 20, TNPA issued a request for proposals seeking an operator to fund, design, develop, construct, operate, maintain, and eventually transfer the terminal. Bidders have until 19 September to submit their proposals. It has stipulated a 25-year concession period. The terminal will include liquid bulk storage tanks, road tanker loading gantries, pipelines, and the necessary terminal operation infrastructure. TNPA commercial services acting general manager Dineo Mazibuko said the move aligned with Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth strategy, which aimed to transform and expand the business. The bid is open to new entrants or joint ventures in port terminal operations. According to the RPF, after the 25-year concession period, the terminal and its supporting facilities in Ngqura will be transferred to TNPA at no cost. TNPA will design, develop, finance, and construct the port infrastructure, including firefighting equipment and associated dredging, to enable the optimal and efficient use of the terminal. The preferred bidder will also be responsible for the environmental impact assessment to allow for the handling of green fuels."

Summary
TNPA is relocating the Dom Pedro liquid bulk terminal from Port Elizabeth to Ngqura, with operations to be privatized. An RFP was issued on June 20 for an operator to fund, design, build, operate, and transfer the terminal after a 25-year concession. Bids are due by September 19. The terminal will include storage tanks, pipelines, and infrastructure, with TNPA handling port infrastructure and the operator managing environmental assessments for green fuels. This aligns with Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth strategy.

Origins of the Terminal
The Dom Pedro liquid bulk terminal in the Port of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is named after the Dom Pedro Jetty, which has historical roots tied to a 19th-century maritime incident. The jetty’s name originates from a ship called the Dom Pedro, a vessel involved in the slave trade that was seized by the British brig Curlew in the Mozambique Channel in 1839, under the Slave Suppression Act passed by Queen Victoria. The Dom Pedro was carrying 19 enslaved individuals when it was captured. Deemed unseaworthy, the ship drifted into Algoa Bay in May 1840 after a severe storm and was beached near the Baakens River mouth. Its remains were visible for decades, and in 1898, the Dom Pedro Jetty was constructed at the site, named after the ship. The jetty later became associated with liquid bulk operations, including diesel oil bunkering, and evolved into the Dom Pedro liquid bulk terminal, handling petroleum products and other liquid cargo. The terminal has been a key part of Port Elizabeth’s port infrastructure, which has supported the region’s maritime trade since the port’s establishment in 1825, following British settlement in 1820.

No specific documentation confirms the exact fate of the 19 individuals from the Dom Pedro. Given the ship’s condition and the storm, it’s possible some did not survive the journey to Algoa Bay. Those who did likely faced one of the following outcomes: release into the Cape Colony as free laborers, apprenticeship to local settlers, or relocation to another British-controlled territory. The lack of detailed records reflects the broader challenge of tracing individual outcomes in the chaotic aftermath of slave ship seizures during this period.

For interest's sake. Other Terminals  
Container Terminal: Handles containerized cargo, with a quay length of approximately 1 km across three container berths, supported by quayside gantry cranes and straddle carriers.
It has 5,400 ground slots for conventional container handling.
Fruit Terminal: Specializes in the export of agricultural products, particularly deciduous and citrus fruits, often palletized or containerized.
Manganese Terminal: Manages bulk exports of manganese ore, with storage bins capable of holding 350,000 tonnes. It includes two ore berths.
Break Bulk Terminal: Handles a variety of non-containerized cargo, including agricultural products (e.g., wheat imports, fruit exports), steel, scrap, timber, and motor vehicles.
Car Terminal: Located on the Charl Malan Quay, this terminal focuses on roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) traffic, particularly for motor vehicles and components, supporting the Eastern Cape’s motor industry.
 
Prayer Guidelines
1. Prayer for Wisdom in Decision-Making
Scripture: James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Guideline: Pray for TNPA, the bidders, and stakeholders to seek divine wisdom in selecting an operator with the vision and capability to ensure the terminal’s success and benefit the community.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, grant wisdom to TNPA and bidders as they plan the Dom Pedro terminal’s future. Guide them to decisions that promote growth and prosperity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

2. Prayer for Responsible Stewardship
Scripture: Genesis 2:15 – “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Guideline: Ask God to guide the chosen operator in stewarding resources responsibly, ensuring the terminal’s infrastructure and operations honor creation and future generations.
Prayer: Lord, bless the operator of the Ngqura terminal with a heart for stewardship. Help them manage resources wisely and care for Your entrusted land. Amen.

3. Prayer for Economic and Community Impact
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:7 – “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you… Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Guideline: Intercede for the project to bring economic growth, job opportunities, and stability to the Port of Ngqura and surrounding communities, aligning with Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth strategy.
Prayer: God of abundance, let the Dom Pedro terminal’s relocation bring prosperity and peace to Ngqura’s communities. May it create uplifting opportunities. In Your name, Amen.

4. Prayer for Environmental Care
Scripture: Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
Guideline: Pray that the environmental impact assessment and green fuel handling prioritize the protection of God’s creation, ensuring sustainable practices.
Prayer: Creator God, guide the environmental efforts for the Ngqura terminal. May the operator honor Your earth with sustainable practices. Amen.

5. Prayer for Unity and Collaboration
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”
Guideline: Pray for unity among TNPA, the operator, and potential joint ventures, that they work collaboratively for the project’s success and the good of all stakeholders.
Prayer: Lord, unite TNPA, bidders, and partners in collaboration. May their joint efforts yield success and reflect Your purpose for this project. Amen.

6. Prayer for Successful Bidders with Expertise and Capacity
Guideline: Pray that God raises up and equips bidders with the expertise, resources, and capacity to successfully fund, design, construct, operate, and maintain the Dom Pedro terminal, ensuring long-term efficiency and impact.
Prayer: Almighty God, empower the bidders for the Ngqura terminal with the expertise and capacity to succeed. Strengthen them to fulfill this vision with excellence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Compiled by GAP Ministries. Free to share.