A request for proposals (RFP) has been issued by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) for a small-to-medium scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of East London.

TNPA says the terminal operator will be expected to design, finance, develop, construct, operate, and maintain the terminal under a 25-year concession agreement, and transfer the asset at the end of the period.

A greenfield site of about 8 900 m² in size, and located within the port’s West Bank precinct, has been earmarked for the development.

The land is adjacent to the grain elevator and liquid bulk berth and can be accessed by both road and rail.

The RFP has been issued following an expression of interest process, during which the TNPA reports that it received a strong market response from potential operators of LNG infrastructure for a facility in the port.

Bids that meet the qualifying criteria outlined in the tender will be evaluated using a 90/10 preference points system, with 90 points for price, or the concession fees to be paid to TNPA, and 10 for specific goals, including black economic empowerment.

East London port manager Dr Sphiwe Mthembu says the LNG terminal is expected to attract private sector investment, support the development of strategic energy infrastructure, and strengthen the port’s role as a catalyst for economic growth in the region.

A bid submission deadline of February 22, 2027, has been set and a non-compulsory briefing session has been scheduled for September 29 at 10:00.

In February 2025, TNPA signed a 25-year terminal operator agreement with Zululand Energy Terminals (ZET) for the development of the country’s first large-scale LNG import terminal at the Port of Richards Bay’s South Dunes precinct.

The ZET project, which is being pursued as a joint venture between Vopak Terminal Durban and Transnet Pipelines, is still in the front-end engineering design phase, with 2028 having been set as the target date for a final investment decision.

Earlier this year, TNPA also signed a 25-year terminal operator agreement with Ukwanda LNG to develop an onshore LNG regasification facility at the Port of Ngqura, which like the Port of East London is also in the Eastern Cape.