Lease of land (lot 2/3, 2/4, 2/5 umhlathuzi sites, bayview precinct) in the port of richards bay for 15 years

TNPA is the landlord and port authority for South Africa's eight commercial seaports, managing port land and infrastructure. This RFP invites bids for a 15-year lease of 3600 m² of vacant land at Bayview Precinct, Port of Richards Bay, for warehouse/equipment/clean cargo storage. The property is leased 'as is' and the successful bidder must undertake all necessary refurbishment and improvements at its own cost. Prohibited uses include hazardous chemicals, truck staging, refuelling, and contained handling depots.

Closing date: 20 November 2026 at 16:00

Non-compulsory briefing session: 21 October 2026, 09:00–12:00, at TNPA Port of Richards Bay, ECC Building, followed by site visit. Attendance encouraged; bring safety vests. Physical attendees must submit ID copies before 21 October 2026 to [email protected] for access permits. Online attendance via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 360 659 935 101 938, Passcode: C35gg3fe).

Closure of clarity-seeking questions: 06 November 2026 at 16:00

Bid validity period: 120 business days from closing date.

Non-compulsory briefing: 21 October 2026, 09:00–12:00, TNPA Port of Richards Bay, ECC Building, followed by site visit.

Physical attendees: submit ID copies before 21 October 2026 to [email protected]; bring safety vests.

Online via Microsoft Teams: Meeting ID 360 659 935 101 938, Passcode C35gg3fe.

Site visits can be arranged after briefing via the dedicated email.

Enquiries:

• Email: [email protected]
• For property access and site visit arrangements, use the same email.

Clarification requests: submit RFP Clarification Request Form (Section 8) via the system before 06 November 2026 at 16:00. Responses published on e-tender portal and Transnet website.

After closing date, communication only via [email protected].

Submission portal: https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net

Submission method: upload bid response onto the Transnet e-tender system at https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net against the selected tender. Use Google Chrome. Uploads limited to 30 MB per file; multiple uploads permitted. File names must use only alphabetical and numerical characters. Submit at least a day before closing to avoid technical issues; late or failed uploads are not accepted.

Returnable documents — three categories:

• Mandatory: failure to submit by closing date/time results in disqualification. Includes Section 4 (Rental Offer Price).
• Used for scoring: failure to submit results in a zero score for that criterion. Includes proof for Specific Goals (Section 9), B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, Capital Expenditure Plan, Maintenance Expenditure Plan, Company Profile, Business Plan, Reference Letters, Bank Rating.
• Essential: failure to submit gives a further opportunity to provide by a set deadline; continued failure may lead to disqualification. Includes SBD 1 Form (Section 1), Certificate of Acquaintance (Section 6), RFP Declaration and Breach of Law Form (Section 7), Specific Goals Points Claim Form (Section 9), Job Creation and Skills Development (Section 10), Protection of Personal Information (Section 11), Certificate of Attendance of Briefing (Section 12).

All returnable sections must be signed, stamped and dated. Sign and date the bottom of each page. The signatory must be legally authorised; proof of authority (e.g. company resolution) must be submitted.

Disqualification risks:

• Late or incorrectly uploaded bids.
• Missing mandatory returnable documents.
• Unsigned bid documents.
• Collusion with other bidders or canvassing Transnet employees.
• Changes to the rental offer after closing date.

Evaluation stages (sequential, but Transnet may run steps in parallel):

Step 1 — Administrative responsiveness: bid lodged on time, signed by authorised bidder. Must pass to proceed.

Step 2 — Substantive responsiveness: bid contains a priced rental offer as per Section 4. Must pass to proceed.

Step 3 — Functionality/technical minimum threshold: 66.67 out of 100. Criteria and weights:

• Previous experience (10): minimum 2 years' experience in proposed use, supported by company profile and evidence (lease agreement, licence, etc.).
• Reference letters (15): minimum 2 reference letters not older than 5 years, including customer/company name, address, contact details, project scope, duration.
• Bank rating (15): issued by a financial institution, not older than 3 months, confirming going concern status.
• Business Plan alignment to Port Development Framework Plan (PDFP) (10): operations must detail use of premises, prove Port-related use, support Port business.
• Market analysis (10): must address status quo, potential market, gap analysis, SWOT, economic spin-offs.
• Value to Port operations (10): vision/mission, strategic objectives, innovation, short/medium term value.
• Capital expenditure plan (10): detailed Work Breakdown Structure and Project Schedule for refurbishment/upgrades, for lease term duration.
• Maintenance plan (10): detailed plan aligned to property and proposed use, for lease term duration.
• Financial viability (10): cashflow projections over lease period, signed by a finance professional, demonstrating going concern.

Step 4 — Final weighted scoring (total 100):

• Rental offer price: 80/90 points (formula based on lowest acceptable bid).
• Specific goals (SBD 6.2): 20/10 points.

Step 5 — Objective criteria: Transnet may award to a bidder other than the highest scorer for reasons including rotation of bidders, specialised operations, poor past performance, breach of Integrity Pact, probity risks, insolvency, legal incapacity, conflicts of interest.

Step 6 — Post-tender negotiations: if the highest-ranked rental is not market-related, Transnet may negotiate sequentially with ranked bidders or cancel.

Step 7 — Award: successful bidder receives Letter of Award, then final lease agreement is concluded.

Lease of land at Port of Richards Bay, Bayview Precinct.

Property details:

• Extent: 3600 m²
• Location: Lot 2/3, 2/4 and 2/5 Umhlathuzi Sites, Bayview Precinct, Port of Richards Bay
• Current use: vacant, used as equipment/clean cargo storage
• Approximately 200 m from container handling facility
• Leased on 'as is' (voetstoots) basis, per Annexure 1 (Lease Plan)

Proposed use: warehouse/equipment/clean cargo storage

Exclusions (prohibited uses):

• Handling and storage of hazardous chemicals
• Staging of trucks
• Truck refuelling station
• Contained handling depot activities
• Storage of dust minerals in open areas

Bidder obligations:

• Undertake all refurbishment, repairs, upgrades and capital improvements at own cost to make premises fit for purpose and compliant with laws.
• Beneficial occupation may be considered if motivated in Business Plan and approved by TNPA; bidder liable for all property holding costs during that period.
• Conduct own inspection of property before submitting bid; TNPA not liable for failure to inspect.

Environmental: bidder must state position on waste disposal, recycling, energy conservation.

Business Plan must include:

• Proposed operations aligned to Port Development Framework Plan (PDFP) and Port Priority activities, addressing use of premises, proving Port-related use, and supporting Port business.
• Market analysis: status quo, potential market, gap analysis, SWOT, economic spin-offs per segment.
• How operations add value to Port: vision/mission, strategic objectives, innovation, short/medium term value.
• Cashflow projections over lease period with assumptions, signed by a finance professional, demonstrating going concern.

Capital and maintenance cost methodology: schedules linked to methodology, detailed to level 3, presented as calendar/Gantt, activities numbered, sequencing clear.

Minimum 2 years' experience in proposed use, supported by company profile and evidence (lease agreement, licence, or other verifiable document).

Minimum 2 reference letters not older than 5 years, including customer/company name, address, contact details, project scope/services, and duration.

Bank rating from a financial institution, not older than 3 months, confirming going concern status.

Submit a detailed Work Breakdown Structure and Project Schedule for refurbishment/upgrades, covering the lease term, with clear scope, measurable deliverables, logical structure, and mutual exclusivity of tasks.

Submit a detailed maintenance plan aligned to the property and proposed use, covering identification and prioritisation, scoping and objectives, resource allocation, timeframes, and cost of works, for the lease term.

Complete rental offer tables in Section 4: extent (m²), rate per m², monthly rental excl. VAT, VAT at 15%, monthly rental incl. VAT, for land and building portions. Provide total monthly rental and escalation rate.

Complete rental year table for first five years (12 months each), totals excl. and incl. VAT.

Annual escalation must be included in overall rental offer.

TNPA verifies calculations; deviations from prescribed format may render bid non-responsive.

Rental must be quoted in South African Rand inclusive of VAT.

Pricing format: complete rental offer tables in Section 4.

Rental offer must include:

• Extent (m²), rate per square metre, monthly rental excluding VAT, VAT at 15%, monthly rental including VAT, for land and building portions.
• Total monthly rental offer and escalation rate.
• Annual rental for each of first five years (12 months each), totals excluding and including VAT.

Notes:

• Annual escalation must be included in overall rental offer.
• TNPA verifies calculations; deviations from the prescribed format may render bid non-responsive.
• Rental must be quoted in South African Rand inclusive of VAT.

If highest-scoring bidder's rental is not market-related, Transnet may negotiate a market-related rental with that bidder, then sequentially with 2nd and 3rd ranked bidders, or cancel the RFP.

No bid security, bond, or guarantee requirements stated.

CSD registration: mandatory before submitting bid. Business not awarded to unregistered bidders. Foreign bidders with no local entity need not register but must incorporate a South African company to conclude the lease.

Tax compliance: must be compliant at submission and for entire agreement term. Provide SARS TCS PIN or CSD number. Each party in a JV/consortium/sub-contractor must be registered on CSD and tax compliant.

B-BBEE: submit valid B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate or Sworn Affidavit (for EMEs & QSEs). Preference points awarded per SBD 6.2 Specific Goals Claim Form. JVs evaluated on consolidated B-BBEE scorecard.

Employment Equity Act: comply with requirements, including Section 53.

Security clearance: successful bidder and personnel may be required to obtain clearance to CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/TOP SECRET level.

Joint ventures/consortia: must submit signed JV agreement or written intention with percentage split and responsibilities. Award only after signed agreement submitted.

Submit valid B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate or Sworn Affidavit (for EMEs & QSEs).

Preference points awarded per Specific Goals Claim Form (SBD 6.2).

JVs evaluated on consolidated B-BBEE scorecard.

Attendees at physical briefing and site visit must bring safety vests.

ID copies must be submitted before 21 October 2026 to [email protected] for access permits.

Successful bidder must implement security measures as required for safe performance of the agreement.

Bidder must state its position on environmental commitments, including waste disposal, recycling, and energy conservation.

Annexure 2 contains the Environmental Management Plan.

Lease term: 15 years.

Bidder responsible for acts and omissions of its employees.

Any changes to Transnet's standard lease terms require review and acceptance by Transnet's Legal Counsel.

Bidder must comply with all RFP requirements and applicable laws.

Transnet may cancel agreement and request placement on National Treasury's Restricted Bidders Database for up to 10 years if award based on incorrect information.

If preferred bidder fails to sign or commence agreement within a reasonable period, Transnet may award to next ranked bidder.

Transnet not liable for bidder's preparatory costs.

Bidder must treat all RFP information as confidential and sign Non-Disclosure Agreement (Annexure 5).

Bidder must specify a domicilium citandi et executandi in South Africa and submit to South African courts. Foreign bidders must name an authorised representative in South Africa with power of attorney.

Transnet may modify RFP and request re-bids, reject non-conforming proposals, disqualify late submissions, award for only a portion of premises, split award, cancel bid process, validate information, request audited financial statements, and not accept changes to rental offer after closing.

Transnet may cancel agreement and request placement on Restricted Bidders Database for up to 10 years for incorrect information.

Transnet not liable for preparatory costs.

Successful bidder may need security clearance to CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/TOP SECRET level.

Bidder must sign Non-Disclosure Agreement and treat all information as confidential.

Comply with Employment Equity Act, including Section 53.

Register on CSD before submitting bid; foreign bidders without local entity must incorporate a South African company for the lease.

Be tax compliant at submission and throughout the agreement term; provide SARS TCS PIN or CSD number.

Each party in a JV/consortium/sub-contractor must be registered on CSD and tax compliant.

Evaluation stages as per main evaluation criteria. Additional detail:

Step 3 functionality criteria weights: Previous experience (10), Reference letters (15), Bank rating (15), PDFP alignment (10), Market analysis (10), Value to Port (10), Capital expenditure plan (10), Maintenance plan (10), Financial viability (10). Minimum threshold 66.67/100.

Step 4: Rental offer price 80/90 points; Specific goals 20/10 points.

Step 5 objective criteria: rotation of bidders, specialised operations, poor track record, breach of Integrity Pact, probity risks, legal incapacity, insolvency, non-compliance, conflicts of interest.

Step 6: post-tender negotiations if rental not market-related.

The document is a Non-Disclosure Agreement between Transnet SOC Ltd and the bidder. It defines Confidential Information, restricts its use and disclosure, requires secure storage and return/destruction of information upon demand, prohibits announcements without consent, survives for 5 years after discussions, confirms parties act as principals, allows pursuit of legal remedies, requires compliance with privacy laws, and includes general provisions on assignment, waiver, severability, modification, no partnership, and South African law and jurisdiction.

The lease is for land at the Port of Richards Bay, Bayview Precinct, covering 3600 m², suitable for warehouse, equipment, or clean cargo storage. The property is about 200 m from the container handling facility and is available immediately. The lease term is up to 15 years.

Issue date: 08 October 2026.

Non-compulsory briefing session: 21 October 2026, 09:00–12:00 (CAT). Venue: TNPA Port of Richards Bay, ECC Building, or online via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 360 659 935 101 938, Passcode: C35gg3fe).

Requests for clarification deadline: 06 November 2026 at 16:00 (CAT).

Closing date and time: 20 November 2026 at 16:00 (CAT).

Enquiries and submissions:

Email: [email protected]

Fraud and corruption reporting:

Transnet Tip-offs Anonymous

Telephone: 0800 003 056

Email: [email protected]

Submission method: upload the bid response proposal onto the Transnet system against the selected tender before the closing time.

Closing time: 16:00 (CAT) on 20 November 2026.

Late submissions will be disqualified.

Returnable documents: complete the RFP document and any annexures as provided in the tender pack.

The RFP is issued free of charge; no bid fee applies.

Evaluation will use the DTI B-BBEE Balanced Scorecard for accreditation of all RFP responses.

Bidders must be accredited by an accredited B-BBEE agency in line with the latest DTI Codes of Good Practice.

EMEs and QSEs may submit sworn affidavits instead of a certificate.

No minimum qualifying score or preference point split (80/20 or 90/10) is stated.

Lease of land situated on Lot 2/3, 2/4 and 2/5 Umhlathuzi sites, Bayview Precinct, Port of Richards Bay.

Extent: 3600 m².

Approximately 200 m from the container handling facility.

Available use: warehouse, equipment, or clean cargo storage.

Available immediately.

Tenure: up to 15 years.

B-BBEE accreditation: bidders must be accredited by an accredited agency in line with the latest DTI Codes of Good Practice.

EMEs and QSEs may submit sworn affidavits.

No other compliance requirements (e.g., CSD, tax clearance, CIDB) are stated.

Transnet will use the DTI B-BBEE Balanced Scorecard for accreditation of all RFP responses. Prospective applicants must be accredited by an accredited agency in accordance with the latest DTI Codes of Good Practice. EMEs and QSEs may submit sworn affidavits.

Bidders attending the briefing session physically must wear a safety vest while on the Port premises.

TNPA reserves the right to cancel the lease application process at any time, not to accept any lease application in part or full, to extend the date and modify the scope of the lease applications, and not to proceed with or cancel the process without obligation to any interested party.

Fraud and corruption reports: Transnet Tip-offs Anonymous, 0800 003 056, [email protected].

This document is the Transnet General Bid Conditions, applicable to all Transnet bids. It does not describe the specific leasing scope beyond the tender title.

No specific dates are provided in this document. The closing date is 20 November 2026 at 16:00 (from the tender record). No briefing session or site visit details are stated.

No contact details are provided in this document.

Submission method: upload the completed bid into the Transnet e-Tender Submission Portal against the relevant tender (bidder guide available at transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net).

• Bids must be submitted no later than the closing date and time; late bids will not be considered.
• Complete all official bid forms and formats; do not substitute your own terms and conditions. Non-compliance may lead to rejection.
• Use the original bid forms; additional information may be attached on company letterhead, cross-referenced in the RFX.
• All returnable documents listed in the RFX must be submitted. Failure to submit mandatory returnable schedules/documents results in disqualification; failure to submit other schedules may also result in disqualification.
• All prices must be in South African Rand (ZAR).
• Prices quoted subject to confirmation will not be considered.
• Any alterations to bid prices must be made by deleting incorrect figures and inserting correct ones, initialled by the signatory; otherwise the affected items may be excluded from award.
• If samples are required, they must be marked with the bidder's name, address, bid number and item number, and reach the addressee on or before the closing date. Late samples may lead to rejection.
• Bids must be held valid for the requested validity period; extensions may be requested without allowing changes to the bid.
• Clarification questions before closing must be uploaded to the Transnet e-Tender Submission Portal or directed to the contact person listed in the RFX.
• After closing, communication is restricted to the contact person listed in the RFX; unauthorised communication with Transnet officials or other bidders may lead to disqualification.

Evaluation criteria are not detailed in this document. The document only notes that after closing, communication is restricted to the contact person, and that bids may be disqualified for unauthorised communication. No scoring split, minimum qualifying score, or preference point system is stated here.

This document is the Transnet General Bid Conditions and does not contain technical specifications for the leasing of the premises. The scope is the leasing of land described as Lot 2/3, 2/4 and 2/5 Umhlathuzi Sites, Bayview Precinct, in the Port of Richards Bay, for a period of fifteen (15) years.

Prices must be quoted in the Price Schedule on the following basis:

• Local supplies: Delivered RSA named destination.
• Imported supplies: Delivered Duty Paid (latest ICC Incoterms) to end destination in South Africa.
• Prices must be inclusive of VAT, shown separately on the tax invoice.
• Bids on any other delivery basis are liable to disqualification.
• Lead time for delivery must include all non-working days and holidays.

Pricing must be submitted in the Price Schedule in the bid documents.

• For local supplies (manufactured, produced or assembled in South Africa, or imported supplies held in South Africa): prices on a Delivered RSA named destination basis.
• For imported supplies: prices on a Delivered Duty Paid (latest ICC Incoterms) basis to end destination in South Africa.
• Prices must be inclusive of VAT, shown separately on the tax invoice.
• Bids on any other delivery basis are liable to disqualification.
• Security: The successful bidder must provide a Deed of Suretyship from an approved bank, building society, insurance or guarantee corporation in South Africa, in the amount stipulated in the bid documents. The Deed of Suretyship form must be completed and returned within 30 calendar days from the date of the letter of acceptance; failure to do so may result in cancellation of the contract. No payment will be made until the form is delivered.
• Advance payments, if applicable, require a guarantee.
• Payment terms are set out in the Terms and Conditions of Contract; alternative payment/financing proposals may be submitted but the bid must first comply with the standard payment terms.

Bidders must not appear on the National Treasury Register of Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers; Transnet may withdraw an award or cancel a contract if a bidder is restricted.

• Bidders must identify directors (company), members (close corporation), or partners/individual (partnership or sole trader) in the bid.
• Foreign bidders must appoint a South African representative with a Power of Attorney complying with Rule 63 of the Uniform Rules of Court, authorising them to sign contracts and choose a domicilium citandi et executandi.
• No bid fee is applicable; documents are downloadable free from www.etenders.gov.za and www.transnet.net.

No evaluation criteria are provided in this document. It only notes that after closing, communication is restricted to the contact person, and unauthorised communication may lead to disqualification.

The Port of Richards Bay serves as the main gateway for coal exports and other dry bulk products, while also handling general cargo and liquid bulk. Its vision is to become a premier dry bulk and liquid bulk port with diversification into other cargo segments and non-cargo services. Objectives include expanding dry bulk capacity, importing LNG, and improving operational efficiency.

Port Development Framework Plans (PDFP) outline projects across three horizons:

Short term (to 2032):

• New LNG berth and FSRU (Berth 207) – operational 2024
• Relocation of Navy from Durban Port to Naval Island & Pelican Island – 2025
• Dry bulk relocation site for bulk commodities – 2023
• Bayvue railyard infrastructure upgrade and expansion for 100 wagon trains – 2024/25
• South Dunes liquid bulk development and service infrastructure – 2024
• Mega Chrome Terminal development – 2025/26
• Relocation of South 32 Aluminum Storage – 2023
• New container handling facility – 2025
• New LNG powership for additional power generation – 2023/24
• New Berth 605 for container handling – 2024
• Mega Chrome Berths 802, 803 – 2026/27
• Extension of Ferro Slab for additional storage capacity – 2024
• Two new Berths 709, 710 for Neo Bulk – 2025
• New liquid bulk Berth 210 – 2025
• Liquid bulk environmental offsets sites – 2022
• New dry bulk terminal – 2023
• Upgrade of existing berth for passenger terminal – 2025
• TNPA future acquisition of land – 2024

Medium term (to 2052):

• More liquid bulk terminals at South Dunes area – 2033
• New liquid berth 211 to support South Dunes liquid terminals – 2040
• 700 series additional berthing capacity for MPT – 711 (700 m quay wall) – 2035
• Bayvue rail yard expansion – rail balloon for 150 wagon trains – 2039
• Land acquisition for future port development Ph 2 (area increased from 180 ha to 3 803 ha) – 2045
• UMhlathuze Rail Yard Expansion to service 600 series berths – 2040

Long term (beyond 2052):

• Dig-out at Bayvue Precinct for additional quay lengths and berths
• Dig-out inside new proposed port limits for additional port activities
• TNPA land area between break bulk (MPT) terminal and proposed dry-dock converted to additional quay lengths and berths

The document mentions liquid bulk environmental offsets sites as a short-term project (2022). No other specific environmental requirements are stated.