Bulk industry sets up planning forum in CT

Pro-active approach avoids berthing delays Ray Smuts UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH in certain commodities has prompted Cape Town’s multi-purpose terminal to establish a Bulk Industry Forum to discuss at first hand expected peaks and conceptualise and develop contingencies on an ongoing basis. The terminal has experienced an upswing in cargo movements over the past few months spearheaded by imports of maize, wheat, barley, soya bean meals and exports of cement. Through the forum industry is updated daily on the berthing situation at the MPT. With this level of pro-active planning in place a ‘strike rate’ of 97% on berthing on arrival has been achieved, enabling industry to plan better and avoid berthing delays. “Other contingencies negotiated with industry are the implementation of 24-hour working, additional road and rail logistic inputs and rotation to maximise berth turnover.” Further business development is also expected at the combi-berth as it gears itself to ease peak congestion at the container terminal.