Cape port
conference raises
pertinent issues
Ray Smuts
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES Minister Jeff Radebe has little option but to resort to sombre-coloured brush strokes to illustrate Durban's congestion nightmare, but at the same time adds brighter hues to the South African ports canvas.
Addressing delegates to the 28th Council Meeting and Port Conference of the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) in Cape Town last week, Radebe described the number of vessels queuing outside the Port of Durban as testament to factors 'good and not so good.'
"They are testament to a robust economy, an economy that is successfully responding to globalisation and trade liberalisation; an economy that attracts goods to its harbours for delivery throughout the Southern African region.
"Yet, they are also testament to the fact that we have been found ill-prepared for the demands placed on us to turn ships around quickly and without delay."
Dr Chris Jardine, chairman of the board of the National Ports Authority, stressed the NPA remained "steadfast" in its desire to become a world-class company and said it would not only play its role in both concessioning of various terminals to ensure that infrastructure backlogs and service issues were addressed, but an ongoing tariff reform programme would see the continuation of reduced logistics costs to improve South Africa's competitive positioning.
Pointing to the many challenges faced by ports Siyabonga Gama, chairman of PMAESA and c.e.o. of NPA, said the direction that needed to be taken was to make ports safe and secure, efficient and responsive to the needs of the shipping and cargo owners' fraternity.
Fernand Julien Gauze, executive secretary-general of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa, said that world ports were faced with increasing demands for more efficient services. "It would be pertinent to state that the advent of globalisation and its attendant effects caught unawares the African Continent which is still in a total state of unpreparedness."
Other illuminating points emerging at the four-day conference were:
l The Department of Public Enterprises is currently engaged in developing a restructuring plan for all port operations and a concession architecture that will provide a "robust mechanism" for the introduction of private sector participation.
l Average per hour crane moves at Durban container terminal are around 15 "in stark contrast" to an average of 35 in some regions and as high as 43 in some ports - Richard Goode, Department of Public Enterprises.
l Durban's throughput per berth, hectare and crane is 28%, 14% and 45% of Hong Kong's and waiting time three times more than the expected norm. - Elvin Harris, Department of Trade and Industry
l Problems of infrastructure financing can only be addressed through a partnership between the private and public sector, private entrepreneurs being "key partners" with the Development Bank of Southern Africa in delivering innovative solutions. - Dirk Botha, Development Bank of Southern Africa
l Development of transport infrastructure is a "vital first step" towards realising the economic and development objectives of the region. - Albert Links Transnet on behalf of its c.e.o. Mafika Mkwanazi.
