Container Handling At South African Ports Down - Saaff/busa

Following a relatively even-keel performance towards the end of September, the start of October was marked by an 8 decrease in container throughput at the countrys ports from a daily average of 8072 to 7384 week-on-week.

According to the last Cargo Movement Update, port operations were mainly constrained by inclement weather conditions, equipment breakdowns and shortages.

The update, compiled by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders and Business Unity SA, said Strong winds, high swells, and vessel ranges represented the main operational constraints at the Port of Cape Town.

At the same time, adverse weather and equipment breakdowns ensured operational delays in Durban, over which industry is still absorbing Wednesday's KwaZulu-Natal High Court ruling in favour of APM Terminals APM T.

The interdict that has been awarded to the terminals subsidiary Maersk, has put the brakes on the 25-year privatisation tender that Transnet awarded to Philippines services provider, International Container Terminal Services ICTSI.

Rival bidder APM Ts successful court bid has left South Africas cargo industry reeling with disappointment.

Its been well over a year since ICTSI was announced as the successful concessionaire to hopefully bring vastly improved cargo handling to Durbans Pier 2 container facility.

Yesterday, most private-sector executives, eager to see improved throughput at Durban, preferred not to express their frustration over the ICTSI matter.

But cargo clearing expert Michael Henning was unequivocal in voicing his disillusionment.

It feels like a gut punch for an industry that is long-suffering and appears to be recovering, albeit slowly.

Henning, the general manager of Easy Clear, which became the first software provider of its kind to enable South Africas inaugural shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Areain January from Durban, said one could only hope for expedited recourse.

I am cautiously hopeful this issue can be resolved fairly quickly and again hope only that Transnet continues to bring improvements at the port, despite this ruling.

This should not prevent the executive from investing in the equipment and efficiencies sorely needed.