Karpowership gets green light to dock at three SA ports
The Transport Department has approved Karpowership's application for access to three ports in the country.
This means the Turkish gas-to-power ships will be able to dock in Durban, Ngqura in the Eastern Cape and Saldanha Bay.
The department says access for a period of 20 years was approved by the minister in February.
Environmental groups previously raised concerns about the Karpowership plants, which require fuel to convert liquefied natural gas into electricity.
Karpowership is one of the world's largest floating power plant operators.
In 2021 the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved three generation licences for Karpowership SA for the ports of Saldanha Bay, Coega and Richards Bay.
READ: Karpowership 'unwavering' in bid to supply SA with alternative power
In a statement, the department said the approval is in line with the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005, which gives powers to the minister to approve such applications.
"The minister considered the application in terms of National Ports Act Section 79 (1) (a) and (b) to safeguard the national security of the country and to discharge the international obligations of the Republic.
"The Transnet National Ports Authority was consulted and supported the approval of the application.
"It is for this reason that the minister gave the TNPA latitude to make necessary decisions in implementing this directive, such as considering the safety measures and operation ability of this directive. As a result, the following conditions were attached in the approval.
"TNPA reserves the right to include all the necessary commercial and safety requirements or agreements that are considered necessary during the period of this directive. The directive is also subject to all other government approvals such as environmental approvals from competent government departments and/or authorities."
