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.
