Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility increases accessibility and retail opportunities for this business hub
Port Shepstone continues to drive business and investment on the KZN South Coast with the latest development – the Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility – further entrenching this coastal town’s status as a business hub. The estimated R550-million facility will increase accessibility to this key financial destination while opening up investment opportunities in the retail sector.
“We are continuing to welcome upgrades to Port Shepstone’s infrastructure as the town emerges as an important area’s administrative, educational, distribution, commercial, and cultural centre,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “The Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility will provide a formalised structure that better facilitates inbound and outbound transport while also extending the investment potential in terms of retail space.”
Costing an estimated R550-million, the Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility will become the main service hub used by the entire district. Located in the heart of the coastal town on Nelson Mandela Drive, this three-storey development will include underground parking, with some R70-million has been set aside for public transport, while the remainder go towards the retail aspect. Currently, there is provision for just under 24 000m2 for retail space, public facilities, and informal traders.
The land has been contributed by Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality with the KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and private developers funding the development. In addition to the significant investment potential, the Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility will ensure there’s a reliable transport system which creates opportunities for businesses, drives business growth, and improves transport safety and connectivity while integrating land and transport planning.
The Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility is further supported by the recent announcement that Marine Drive (the P395) will get a R580-million upgrade, with 25km of road between Southbroom and Port Shepstone being rehabilitated during the 30-month project. This increases the accessibility to Port Shepstone which is located just an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Durban on the N2, connecting it to King Shaka International Airport and Durban Harbour. The town is 20 minutes from Margate Airport which has just undergone an R11-million upgrade, supporting local business investments. Port Shepstone’s location also creates access to the Eastern Seaboard Development, a broad and multifaceted vision to develop a new smart city and to bring innovative developments across KZN and the Eastern Cape.
Port Shepstone is home to key business-driving services including the major banks, government departments, and South African Revenue Service (SARS) offices. It’s also the seat for both Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality and Ugu District Municipality, with many businesses using the town as a base for their head offices. SCTIE has also partnered with Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to establish a One Stop Shop office in Port Shepstone to improve the efficiency of doing business and ensure investors have access to municipal incentives in the district.
With golden beaches, an ocean-facing golf course, great restaurants, and the iconic Port Shepstone Lighthouse, the town is already a well-established tourism destination offering value for investors in this growth sector. Coupled with the top accommodation and facilities, the region is also a growing MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) destination. Investment opportunities also exist in everything from coastal real estate to agriculture and manufacturing, with textile and furniture manufacturers located nearby. Investment potential can also be found in the Ocean Economy, from tourism to renewable energy production, sustainable fisheries, and maritime transport.
“The Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility is really another catalyst in creating a dominant economic hub that supports domestic and international investment on the KZN South Coast,” continued Mangcu. “The investment opportunities abound, and continued infrastructural development will continue to unlock these for discerning investors.”
