This week Durban’s Clairwood residents were informed about how a multimodal transport network and the Cato Ridge inland dry port could help prevent the suburb from becoming a logistics hub.

Warwick Lord, CEO of Cato Ridge Inland Port, gave a presentation to residents in Clairwood on Friday titled: Catalyst for the increased efficiency and sustainability of trade in Sub-Saharan Africa. Desmond D’Sa, coordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA),called for the meeting.  

In 2025, the municipality consulted stakeholders on amending the Land Use Scheme in Clairwood to Special Zone 40: Logistics. This aligned with the Local Area Plan (LAP) adopted by the City in 2014.

Lord explained that multimodal transport involves using more than one mode of transport to move goods and offers significant benefits, including lower transportation costs, shorter delivery times, and improved reliability. He stated that this will lead to reduced costs, faster deliveries, and more dependable service.

“In Africa, the integration of road, rail, and maritime transport is vital for optimizing supply chains and improving regional connectivity,” he said.

Lord added that South Africa acts as a major gateway for trade in Sub-Saharan Africa, with its extensive coastline and advanced port infrastructure. However, he noted that logistical inefficiencies, regulatory challenges, and infrastructural deficits hinder its potential as a regional logistics hub.

He emphasized that inland ports are instrumental in developing integrated transport solutions that strengthen logistics corridors, boosting trade competitiveness.

The country, he said, has well-developed port infrastructure, with major ports handling large cargo volumes.

Lord proposed several solutions to strengthen the logistics corridor which includes:

– Investment in infrastructure

– Development of intermodal facilities

– Standardization of processes

– Data sharing initiatives

– Improved customer services

According to Lord, since 9 August 2024 to 3 April 2025, 32 trains have traveled between Durban Port and Cato Ridge, removing approximately 1,408 truck trips from the roads in the past seven months, although December 2024 and January 2025 saw limited volumes.

“The facilities are well-equipped with reach stackers, security generators, and staff. Several local companies are inquiring about capacity and services. We are specifically seeking export clients who can pack goods in Cato Ridge and rail them to the port to ensure balanced loads,” Lord stated.

The city’s deadline for submissions on the amendment was 8 April 2025. D’Sa described the presentation as excellent and highlighted alternatives that would not involve demolishing residential homes. 

“The inland port presentation is an eye-opener and needs political will to be carried through. We did present objections to the city about the rezoning, and we hope we cannot be dictated to and lose our homes. We don’t need to build infrastructure such as roads because rail provides a solution,” he said.

Residents expressed concerns about the current poor state of road infrastructure damaged by trucks. Many properties were sold to trucking companies, which demolished the houses and used the space for truck depots.

According to the municipality, Clairwood has always been a mixed-use area with industry surrounding a residential core. The masterplan aims to create land uses that align directly with the port.

Earlier this year, Lihle Phewa, Head of the Development Planning and Environmental Management Unit, said: “It should be noted that the area plays a significant role in the local, regional, national, and international economy. Importantly, the amended scheme will provide an adopted legal framework to assess future development applications against an adopted masterplan and zoning controls.”

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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