Transnet Pipelines (TPL) has invited private entities to bid to operate and maintain five strategic fuel storage facilities located in three provinces for lease terms of not less than ten years.

The facilities include the Bethlehem, Kroonstad and Magdala liquid petroleum depots in the Free State, the Ladysmith fuel storage facility in KwaZulu-Natal and the Standerton petroleum depot in Mpumalanga.

Positioned in key inland markets, TPL says the facilities can support the receipt, storage and distribution of petroleum products by road and, where feasible, rail.

They also offer established infrastructure, including fuel storage tanks, pumping systems, utilities, firefighting equipment, operational buildings and supporting infrastructure.

Five separate requests for proposals have been issued, with all indicating that TPL is seeking private operators with proven capabilities in the upstream, midstream or downstream petroleum industry.

The bid documents state that successful bidders will be expected to ensure compliance with all applicable legislative and regulatory requirements, and operate the facilities in accordance with the requisite safety, environmental and operational standards.

In addition, the successful bidders would be expected to invest in infrastructure improvements.

CEO Sibongiseni Khathi says that through strategic partnerships with industry, TPL aims to repurpose and enhance the facilities to strengthen energy security and generate new revenue streams.

The TPL tenders for leasing partners comes amid moves across the Transnet Group to pursue private-sector participation across network businesses that it has hitherto monopolised, including rail, ports and pipelines.

Mandatory site briefing sessions are planned between October 19 and 28, starting with the Ladysmith depot on October 19, followed by the Kroonstad and Magdala depots both on October 26, the Bethlehem depot on October 27, while concluding with the Standerton depot on October 28.

The bid submission deadline for all five facilities is 17:00 on December 4.