Virtual Consulting Engineers has been appointed to provide project management services for the Dube TradePort development on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, which is destined to become southern Africa’s global trade gateway through the region’s combined sea and air capabilities. The cost of this integrated logistics platform is in excess of
R7 billion, and will ultimately contribute to economic competiveness by streamlining supply chains. The TradePort comprises four zones, i.e. King Shaka International Airport, TradeZone, Support Zone and AgriZone. The TradePort is an initiative of the KwaZulu-Natal Government in partnership with the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).

The King Shaka International Airport will be able to accommodate 7.5 million passengers per annum, as well as A380 jetliners. The state-of-the-art airport facilities include passenger and cargo terminals, a 3.7 km Code 4F runway with associated parallel taxiways, aprons and vehicle parking areas.

The TradeZone industrial estate is located between the airport’s two runways and will afford the high-tech manufacturing tenants maximum benefit in terms of the close proximity to the airport’s cargo terminal. This facility will accommodate freight forwarders, cargo airlines and associated services.

The Support Zone is a ‘green?commercial estate, of which the first developments will be completed in April 2010.

The AgriZone is being developed to expand agricultural production capability. The zone will accommodate flower and vegetable production and process facilities including greenhouses, packing-houses, storage and associated facilities.

Engineering services rendered by Virtual Consulting Engineers on this project include:

• Master planning of the airport
• Environmental impact assessments
• Statutory planning
• Management of the procurement process.

In addition, Virtual Consulting Engineers was tasked with the following:

• A business plan for TradeZone, a warehousing and factory development
• A feasibility study for the cargo terminal
• Leading the study for the development of AgriZone, an intensive agricultural development enterprise focusing on the production of high-value agricultural products for export.

For this multi-billion rand project, Virtual Consulting Engineers is spearheading a team of experts in a variety of fields, including airport planning, civil and structural engineering, environmental impact assessments and town and regional planning.