Africa’s newest deep-water port – at Coega in the Eastern Cape’s Nelson Mandela Metro - should be ready for its first ships in September 2004. This follows an announcement that parastatal Transnet has awarded three major contracts worth just over R2.2 billion to local, foreign and black economic empowerment companies to start construction on the port of Ngqura. The harbour will serve the Coega Industrial Development Zone which forms part of the same project. Speaking to the media after cabinet approved the move, public enterprises minister Jeff Radebe, move, Radebe said the investments "represent the first major and significant maritime and civil engineering project in South Africa, and indeed Africa, for some time. It will be the largest single government-sponsored infrastructure development in recent times ... and should provide comfort and confidence to any outside investors interested in the Coega project". It signified government's commitment to the development of the Eastern Cape. The awarding of the tenders means that construction should start within the next two months. NPA project head for the Port of Ngqura Development, Kgoadi Malatse, earlier told the media that earthworks would begin four to six weeks after the awarding of the tender. Confirmation of tender and construction dates will boost investor confidence in the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), which will be served by the new harbour. One of the biggest potential investments to date is a R16-billion aluminium smelter by French group, Aluminium Pechiney which is currently conducting viability studies at Coega. Another potential investor which recently expressed an interest in the Coega IDZ zone is India’s steel giant Tata Iron & Steel which plans to establish a R600-million worth ferrochrome plant in South Africa. German steelmaker Ferrostaal is also considering “a plant or two” at Coega, according to reports in The Herald newspaper. The biggest port construction tender is a R1.4 billion contract for marine civil engineering. It was awarded to Ngqura Harbour Contractors, a joint venture between German-based Hochtief Construction, Concor Holding, and Ngqura Empowerment Contractors. The latter was made up of Africa Construction of Johannesburg and three Port Elizabeth-based companies - Siyaya Civils and Building Contractors, Sakhisizwe Construction and Matota Macingwane, Pambo Civil Engineering Contractors and Consultants. A R100 million contract for sand bypass works had been awarded to Connec Joint Venture, made up of Concor Holdings and Ngqura Empowerment Contractors. A R480 million dredging contract had been awarded to Belgian-based Jan de Nul. A minimum of 30 percent black empowerment participation in the maritime civil works and sand bypass contracts had been stipulated by Transnet, while dredging firms were required to source fuel from black companies. Spending on the supplies from black firms was expected to amount to about R571 million. Some 900 jobs will be created by the development.