TNPA nears completion of Newark Road upgrade to ease congestion at Richards Bay Port

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced that it is nearing completion of the long-awaited upgrade of Newark Road, a critical access route to the Port of Richards Bay, with 75% of the works already finished.

The Port of Richards Bay has long been plagued by traffic congestion, particularly as the roads leading to the port are heavily utilised.

Valued at approximately R20 million and scheduled for completion in December 2025, this capital project forms part of TNPA’s ongoing drive to modernise port infrastructure to enhance the safety and efficiency of cargo movement for port users.

“This strategic investment will ensure that the Port of Richards Bay continues to operate as a world-class logistics hub," said port manager, Captain Dennis Mqadi.

"We will continue to engage withport users on these project developments to ensure smooth transition both now and when the road upgrades are completed this festive season.”

The project, which began in May 2025, has already seen one kilometre of the road resurfaced. TNPA confirmed the road closure remains in place to ensure safe operations, supported by a traffic management plan that directs vehicles to alternative routes.

With estimates suggesting that Newark Road accommodates around 67 289 light motor vehicles and 35 000 heavy vehicles each month, its importance to efficient cargo flow and logistics cannot be overstated.

Malcolm Hartwell, Norton Rose Fulbright director and master mariner, noted that though South Africa has the capacity to export up to 91 million tonnes of coal annually, exports have fallen sharply since the 77 million tonnes recorded in 2017, largely due to the collapse of Transnet’s rail operations.

Hartwell highlighted that the decline in Transnet's rail services has prompted a greater reliance on road transport, leading to severe traffic delays near Richards Bay port—delays that have significantly impacted the efficiency of the supply chain.

“Transnet has announced that the upgrade to road access will be completed by December which will help alleviate the congestion problem. No doubt, this alleviation will be welcomed by the logistics industry and not just those involved in the coal trade as the delays have cost importers, exporters and the economy an enormous amount over the last several years,” he said.

However, Hartwell said this was not a long-term solution as Richards Bay Terminal was ready to handle whatever tonnage the mines can produce and deliver.

“The long-term solution lies in fixing the rail delivery system and upgrading it. This may require private sector participation and given the potential income for coal exporters, it is likely that participation will come from one of the mines," he said.

“The reality, however, is that bulk commodities such as coal and iron ore really should not be on the roads and are ideally suited to delivery of large tonnages by rail.” 

Tonny Molise, deputy president of Trucking Association of South Africa, said the Newark Road upgrade was vital for road freight operators.

“For the road freight industry, this development is crucial, as congestion has long hindered efficient cargo movement, forcing many transporters to reroute through Maputo," Molise said.

"The completion of this project will not only ease traffic bottlenecks but also redirect trade and capital back into the South African economy.”

Molise added that efficient loading and offloading at the ports was vital for economic growth and for restoring confidence in South Africa as a competitive logistics hub.

"We are hopeful that these improvements will help attract more shipping lines back to Richards Bay, reduce turnaround times, and enable goods to move seamlessly from ship to truck.”

Ulrich Joubert, an independent economist, added that the reliance on trucks highlights the urgent need to restore rail efficiency. He pointed out that the 594km Richards Bay–Ermelo railway line, opened in 1976, had the capacity to move up to 80 million tonnes of coal annually.

“In 2024 alone, over 303 000 trucks entered the port—almost six times more than a decade earlier. With 300 to 600 trucks needed to replace a single freight train, the imbalance is clear. Bulk commodities like coal and iron ore should be moved by rail, not road,” Joubert said.

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