Transnet signs landmark MoU with Port of Antwerp-Bruges to modernise South Africa’s ports

Transnet has announced  a landmark signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (PoABI) and the Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center (APEC). The signing took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Transnet said the partnership signifies a major milestone in efforts to modernise South Africa’s port system, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen regional trade competitiveness. “It establishes a framework for cooperation in port operational excellence, digitalisation, sustainability, infrastructure planning, and regional corridor development to strengthen South Africa’s logistics performance.”

Transnet added that the collaboration introduces global best practices, technical training, benchmarking, and advisory support to build long-term institutional capacity within Transnet divisions. “The MoU includes cooperation on hinterland corridor development and global investment programmes, including opportunities linked to the EU Global Gateway initiative, which is an EU strategy to mobilise investments in sustainable infrastructure projects worldwide, with a focus on digital, energy, transport, health, education, and research sectors.”

Transnet Group CEO Michelle Phillips said this partnership comes at a critical time as they accelerate the modernisation of our ports and strengthen South Africa’s position in regional and global trade. “Through this collaboration, we will leverage global best practices in order to strengthen our ports’ strategic position as gateways for regional and international trade. Our Reinvent for Growth Strategy (R4G) seeks to modernise, expand, and optimise our ports through strategic investments and partnerships.”

Kristof Waterschoot, the managing director of PoABI and APEC, said it is a special moment for PoABI/APEC to celebrate this very special occasion of the MoU with Transnet, thereby rekindling our relationship which started some decades ago. “In a new and evolved port landscape, we will collaborate on trending topics like energy transition and decarbonisation whilst still embracing the classic topics like operational efficiency and port logistics. Thanks to Transnet for granting us this opportunity to deepen our relationship and count on us as your partner for port optimisation and team capacitation.”

Jacques Vandermeiren, the CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said this MoU marks an exciting new chapter as we renew our partnership with Transnet, one built on trust, shared vision, and an ambition for progress. “Together, we are committed to building capacity and sharing expertise in the port sector, with a strong focus on the energy transition and sustainability. By joining forces, we create new opportunities for growth, innovation, and sustainable development.”

Malcolm Hartwell, a director at Norton Rose Fulbright and a master mariner, said the Antwerp-Bruges port is set to be the largest in Europe after a recent €230 billion  (R5 trillion) investment and is ranked 14th in the world, so it is extremely efficient, competitive, and aligned with global and regional sustainability requirements. “As one of the leading port operators, they no doubt have a wealth of information and institutional knowledge and practices which could be shared with Transnet to assist in its drive to make South Africa’s ports more competitive and efficient and to develop transport corridors within not only South Africa but into Sub-Saharan Africa. Although Transnet obviously operates within a different economic and labour relations environment and South Africa has massive competing demands for State funding, we are sure that all parties involved in the South African logistics environment will welcome the signing of the MoU.”

Hartwell added that whether or not one sees significant changes will, of course, depend firstly on the extent of support provided by the Belgian port to Transnet and on Transnet’s willingness and ability to adopt those best practices to the South African environment. “Given the developments at Transnet over the last year in various spheres, it seems highly likely that Transnet will be able to implement suggestions and to benefit from this relationship. Having assistance on not only operational and management issues but also on sustainability, digitalisation, and corridor development all bodes well for the future continued improvement in Transnet’s efficiency.

Hartwell concluded that having an international partner of this nature, which has already automated and digitalised its ports, will assist Transnet in crafting its own path in this regard. “Partially and fully automated ports are already the reality in many parts of the world, and whether or not those can be adopted to work appropriately in South Africa’s high unemployment environment remains to be seen.”

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