The Cape Town Container Terminal has been given the thumbs-up for improved productivity levels in recent months. According to Mike Walwyn, chairperson of the Cape Chamber of Commerce’s Port Liaison Forum, there has been a consistent improvement in operations at the port, which has led to the improved productivity levels. “The crane moves per hour have increased significantly. In fact I think we have seen the best performance ever out of the container terminal in the past few months,” he said at a breakfast hosted by JF Hillebrand in Stellenbosch for industry role players recently. Walwyn said there were several aspects at play in the improved performance including the capital expenditure paying off, the infrastructure being upgraded and the terminal employees improving their performance. “When one puts all the elements together then it results in a better performing terminal.” But, he warned, it was necessary that all parts of the port be efficient, as it had to function as a well-oiled machine. “There is no point in having increased crane moves per hour but trucks are queuing to pick up boxes." And while some might argue that efficiency has increased as volumes have not grown as much as expected, he believes one has to take into account the impact of the new equipment and the training of staff.
