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State of the Environment

 About the CMA
Transportation  
ISSUE:  Need to expand metropolitan airports and harbours to meet growing demands
Issue statement
In order to become globally competitive, the CMA needs to expand strategic infrastructure such as the metropolitan airport and harbours.

 
What pressures are causing changes in the environment?
Pressures include the rapid increase in, and competition for, international flights and the importance of tourism and exports as economic growth sectors. Rapid increase in shipping and changes in shipping trends have resulted in an increased demand for harbour facilities.

 
What is the state of the environment?
The CMA has modern harbour and airport infrastructure and sophisticated telecommunications facilities.

The Port of Cape Town handled over 11.7 million tons of cargo in 1998 with an annual turn over of approximately R700 million. In 1998, 3 910 ships docked in the harbour. The capacity of the container terminal is increasingly unable to cope with the amount of cargo entering and leaving the port.

There is increased competition for limited space at the Cape Town Harbour, for example between the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the working harbour. The harbour has no facilities for passenger ships, with passengers currently disembarking directly onto the quayside next to the fruit storage sheds.

Number of flight arrivals at Cape Town International Airport from April 1998 to March 1999 are as follows:

  • Domestic – 31 813
  • International – 1 953

From April 1998 to March 1999, there were 421 303 international passengers and 1 572 603 domestic passengers departing from Cape Town International Airport. The Cape Town International Airport is currently undergoing expansion.

 
Year One Indicators
The following indicators are monitored by:

Portnet, Port of Cape Town:

  • Total tonnage of cargo moved per annum (t/a).

The Airports Company South Africa:

  • Number of international flights arriving per annum.
  • Number of international and domestic passengers departing per annum.

See a summary of all Indicators on this website

 
What responses are we giving to the problem?
The first phase of an expansion plan for the Cape Town International Airport has begun. Future plans include a second runway, redevelopment of the terminus buildings and the addition of internal and external transport links.

The CMC’s Integrated Development Plan has identified "strengthening the CMA’s global economic position" as one of five metropolitan strategic themes.

Portnet has initiated an EIA to investigate the expansion of the container terminal in the Port of Cape Town.

 
What can you do about it?
  • Lobby relevant authorities and companies to improve the facilities at the international airport and the Port of Cape Town.