IVS leases haulers to Richards Bay port Alan Peat POOR PRODUCTIVITY at the Richards Bay multi-purpose terminal (MPT) has led bulk shipping lines using the port to slap on a productivity inefficiency surcharge (PIS) for the first time ever. This was introduced at the beginning of this month (August) at levels ranging from US$2.75-US$3 a ton. Island View Shipping (IVS), Sudamex, MCL, Macs and MUR have all confirmed that they have imposed the surcharge. Gearbulk, although not confirmed before FTW print deadline, is expected to follow. According to the lines it’s the same old story as at other SA ports - labour and equipment. With loading rates at a recent average of 70-tons an hour, and some ships as low as 40-t/hr, the lines had no alternative, according to Tim McClure, MD of IVS. MPT was plunged into an additional crisis recently when ongoing labour unrest cost shipping and export industries thousands of dollars a day through stoppages. “This surcharge is a last ditch effort,” McClure told FTW, “which at least highlights the productivity problem. “It’s something we had to do.” Indeed, IVS has been doing its best to help the MPT overcome its problems. The most recent example of this are the ten new, desperately needed, haulers that have been leased by Richards Bay MPT (FTW August 15, 2003). These were bought from Bell Equipment by IVS and leased to the port. “Because it just has no capex,” said McClure.
