Date: 2025-10-30 07:17:59

Mayor Xaba Welcomes Development On Speed Train and Initiatives To Decongest The Durban Port

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAYOR XABA WELCOMES DEVELOPMENT ON SPEED TRAIN AND INITIATIVES TO DECONGEST THE DURBAN PORT

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba has welcomed the issuing of a Request for Information by the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, for regional speed trains linking Durban to other cities including Johannesburg, Polokwane, Musina, Pretoria and Mbombela. 

Mayor Xaba has been in continuous engagements with Minister Creecy and transport entities such as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and Transnet on several strategic initiatives, including the speed train from Durban to Johannesburg, port efficiency enhancements, and rail infrastructure upgrades.

“I am pleased that all these engagements are yielding positive results. I must indicate that during these engagements I have been constantly emphasising to the Minister and her team the importance of resuscitating the speed train project. As a city, we welcome this move as it will boost the economy of Durban, especially the tourism sector. Upon completion, thousands of people from Gauteng will be descending on Durban on a weekly basis for business and tourism,” said Mayor Xaba.

The Mayor also welcomed the participation of the private sector in the initiative, highlighting that collaboration is key to improving transport infrastructure and driving economic growth.

“I also want to applaud Transnet for continuing to invest in infrastructure upgrades at the Durban Container Terminal to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the port,” said Mayor Xaba.

This follows Transnet’s announcement of a R1 billion investment for the procurement of four new ship-to-shore cranes.

Mayor Xaba said this investment is crucial in positioning Durban as a globally competitive port city, and confirmed that his team is working closely with Transnet on multiple projects to improve port efficiency.

These projects include:

•Development of a dry port in Cato Ridge

•Establishment of truck staging areas

•Construction of a second access road to the port.

A Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed between the Municipality and Transnet Port Terminals to implement these initiatives. 

The Municipality has also commenced the rezoning processes for land earmarked for these projects.

Regarding the dry port, plans are at an advanced stage to launch the Insimbi Ridge Project, a 350-hectare logistics and light industrial development aimed at improving efficiency along the Strategic Infrastructure Project 2 corridor (Durban to Johannesburg) and decongesting the port.

“I am happy that in the next few days, we will be officially launching this project,” concluded Mayor Xaba.

ENDS 

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.