The Cape’s Port Liaison
Forum (PLF) has added its
voice to increasing concern
over government’s intention
to enforce a 4.3m height
restriction on ISO containers
when the current moratorium
is lifted in 2019.
South Africa’s entire reefer
fleet exceeds the 4.3m height
restriction,
meaning
unless a new
vehicle fleet
is purchased
prior to
2019 export
boxes will
come to a
complete
standstill in
the province.
A
spokesman
for the
PLF told
FTW that initial engagements
with exporters, freight
forwarders and hauliers in
the province were reaching
the same conclusion as the
rest of the country – and that
was that industry simply did
not have the financial means
to overhaul the vehicle fleet
to meet the 4.3m height
restriction.
“Essentially it will mean
introducing lower trailers
across the province or not
exporting any of our fruit as
the bulk of it moves out in
reefer containers that exceed
the height limit,” said the
spokesman. “Financially it is
just not feasible.”
The province has also
denied involvement in any
discussions or agreements
where industry has committed
to procuring
new trailers and
transforming its
current fleet to
meet the 4.3m
height.
Regulation
224 of the
National Road
Traffic Act
requires that
the height of
a vehicle and
container should
not exceed 4.3m.
The current
moratorium allowing the
movement of containers
exceeding this height on South
African roads will end on
January 1, 2019.
“The PLF will be keeping a
close watch on developments
around this as it is a matter
that we are gravely concerned
about and we believe it could
have serious implications on
the province’s exports,” said the
spokesman.
Unless a new vehicle
fleet is purchased
prior to 2019 export
boxes will come to a
complete standstill in
the province.
