THE NATIONAL PORT Authority is weighing up two alternatives for the development of Port Elizabeth harbour over the next 20 years. Vonk Claassens, Port Engineer for the ports of PE, Mossel Bay and East London, says the first scenario would see the expansion of the existing break-bulk and cargo handling facilities to an area currently occupied by a tank farm and manganese ore facility. This would happen if the new port of Ngqura had a “limited impact” on Port Elizabeth, with only the tank farm and ore terminal being moved. The “high impact” scenario would see container traffic also shifting to Ngqura. This would see the expansion if the commercial activities in the port being limited to the existing terminals in the port. The land would be freed for use in activities such as residential, commercial and tourism related. It will, however, remain Transnet land. Claassens also announced development plans for Mossel Bay. All future growth, including the two off-shore moorings and the fishing industry can be catered for on existing land. A proposed waterfront development area will be revived for commercial/residential use. Propnet will be calling for development proposals in the near future. The NPA is currently investigating the upgrading of its Administration Building and the recommissioning of one of the sideslips at the NPA slipway.