NEGOTIATIONS between the National Ports Authority and P&O Nedlloyd on the concessioning of operations in the Coega port have reached a “sensitive stage,” says Public Enterprise Minister Jeff Radebe. Speaking at a news conference while on a visit to the Eastern Cape, Radebe said government had prioritised the concessioning of the ports of Durban, Richard’s Bay and the deep-water harbour Ngqura, which forms part of the Coega Industrial Development Zone. Confirming that P&O Nedlloyd was the preferred operator for Ngqura, he said he expected negotiations to be completed by the end of 2002. Radebe expected the concessioning of all of South Africa’s ports to be completed by the end of 2003. Durban and Richard’s Bay have been prioritised because of continued delays in the two ports demanded “major immediate intervention,” he said. An Anglo-Dutch Consortium of P&O Nedlloyd and TCI Infrastructure (TCII) signed an agreement with the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) for the development of the proposed multi-user Nqura port after the CDC called for partners in February 2000. As part of its bid, P&O Nedlloyd committed R800-million to equip a container terminal in the port. A further investment of R200-million has been proposed for an e-commerce park in the IDZ, according to CDC spokesperson Raymond Hartle. P&O Nedlloyd declined to comment on the minister’s statements.