Mohammed Abdool has been appointed CEO of Transnet National Ports Authority, effective from May 1.
Abdool, who has served as Acting CEO for several months, previously served as TNPA Chief Financial Officer for more than 16 years.
“He is recognised as a strategic and tactical leader, a persuasive negotiator and an ethical executive… Transnet looks forward to his leadership in advancing South Africa’s maritime transport sector,” Transnet said of the appointment in a media statement.
Abdool reportedly played a prominent role in various significant Transnet projects such as restructuring the rail operations accounting system in anticipation of structural reforms. He also helped direct the TNPA corporatisation process.
His appointment as TNPA CEO coincides with widespread concerns about the performance of South African ports, although there are signs of improvement.
The country’s eight ports handled a healthy 27.788 MT of cargo in March, compared with 24.493 MT in February, according to Africa Ships and Ports.
Government has committed to effecting structural reforms aimed at allowing the private sector a greater role in port operations.