South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 soccer world cup has energised and excited the country, and revitalised efforts to push ahead with a new international airport and logistics hub for Durban. The Dube TradePort, a multi-modal transport hub that links air, road, rail and sea, to provide a comprehensive logistics and freight handling solution, is now an even more compelling proposition – particularly to handle the flood of spectators anticipated for the contest.

At its core will be the proposed King Shaka international airport with increased passenger-handling capabilities. Also planned is an industrial development zone, where manufacturers and exporters can build and assemble goods for distribution via any means of transport to local or international markets.

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Time sensitivity

The airport will be developed in line with the latest innovative airport technology, designed to be a platform for passenger, freight and commercial aviation use. A primary focus on scheduled freighter movement will ensure that time sensitive goods such as organic products have airside access for distribution. A perishables centre will allow for the consolidation, processing, packaging and inspection of fresh produce for export. It will be a freight consolidation centre and will serve a catchment area of producers who will be able to move their produce from production location to the airport via a road feeder system.

This facility will open up significant new opportunities for current and potential producers of organic produce, cut flowers, foliage, herbs, vegetables, fruit, seafood and fish in the area surrounding the airport. High value markets in north America, Europe and Asia will be accessible within 24 hours.

The passenger terminal will initially have a capacity of four million passengers per year, with the potential to expand for up to 10 million. The runway length of 3700 metres will accommodate the latest generation large aircraft including the A380 airbus.

The Dube TradePort will also serve as an inter-modal freight transfer facility for the ports of Durban and Richards Bay. It will offer transshipment of international air and sea freight and enable the manufacturing and processing of goods within a bonded area, as well as the facilitation of export-focused activities.

The overall strategy of the Dube TradePort will be to create a world class export-oriented environment where tenants, operators and service providers will be able to achieve increased levels of productivity, logistics efficiencies and competitiveness.

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CyberPort

The Dube Tradeport will also incorporate an advanced business environment, featuring high speed broadband capability – dubbed the CyberPort. Here producers and distributors will be provided with e-commerce, trade, order fulfilment, freight tracking and business-to-business facilities necessary to participate in the global supply chain. This aspect of the project also aims to address the order-taking function to promote South African products through virtual markets.

The CyberPort will address the necessity of global connectivity, providing the necessary infrastructure for the establishment of information technology and information services ventures, including call centres, contact centres and back office functions. Facilities will include an intelligent office environment with shared facilities.

The Dube TradePort is expected to attract a cross section of allied commercial developments that are associated with the creation of a transportation hub. Ventures include hotels, conference and retail facilities, and service activities including vehicle re-fuelling and repair activities.

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