Acrid and acrimonious elements were much in evidence in Cape Town last week with containerships lining up post-Transnet strike, a grounded oil tanker catching fire and several crews crying foul over non-payment – even physical threats. All in all, Cape Town was not a happy place. Table Bay was dotted once again with containerships after the disastrous 17-day stoppage, heavy delays inevitable to shippers, along with whopping additional costs to all and sundry. FTW gleaned at the start of Cape Town Container Terminal operations last Friday (June 4) that delays of more than 220 hours were in the offing in certain instances.
