AROUND THREE hundred million rand in tenders for the building of land infrastructure for the port of Ngqura are expected to be published soon. Project director Kgoadi Malatse told a Nelson Mandela Bay business breakfast on May 28, 2003, that the tenders should be put out “soon”. The tenders include a 30 per cent black empowerment clause. They will cover the building of roads and bridges, as well as the port control buildings in the harbour. According to Malatse, parastatal Protecon has the right of first refusal for the tender. Other outstanding contracts for the port are R140 million for tugs, R20 million for a pilot boat and R20-million for navigation aids. The harbour is scheduled to be ready for commercial operations in September 2005, while the first ships loaded with construction materials and equipment will start calling in September 2004.