Advance planning at Durban port keeps citrus moving

Despite fears this time last year that the Durban port construction work on the Pier 2 north quay would have a serious impact on citrus fruit exports, no such major congestion problems arose. “Prior to the start of the citrus export season, we had conversations with high-level Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) management,” said Mitchell Brooke, logistics development manager of the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA). And indeed, he noted, with new equipment and an increased number of reefer (refrigerated container) plug-in points at Piers 1 and 2, and the transfer of general nonmainstream vessels to Maydon Wharf and the Point roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) terminals, the normal, general congestion into Durban container terminal (DCT) was actually reduced. Other elements of this advance planning also came into being. “The mainstream vessels – from Maersk/Safmarine (and their partner lines in the Safari and Saecs consortia to the Far East and Europe respectively), MSC and Hamburg Süd – were all using Pier 1,” Brooke told FTW. “This meant we weren’t impacted by the construction work on Pier 2.” The CGA has similar hopes for this season. However, Brooke has noted something that might throw a spanner in the works. “What has happened,” he said, “is that, while Maersk/Safmarine are still docking at Pier 1 – and they are the biggest of our export carriers – MSC and Hamburg Süd started docking at Pier 2 just two weeks ago.” However, CGA was due to meet with TPT senior management this week about this matter and others on their agenda, and Brooke is confident that things will be suitably sorted out. “Also, our on-going discussions with TPT have all been very fruitful, so I don’t foresee any congestion problems arising this season.” According to the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB), 53% of the SA citrus exports are moved through the Port of Durban.