Construction at Durban Port bodes well for citrus shippers

Durban port construction,
specifically work on the Pier
2 north quay, commences
in June, at the height of
the citrus export season.
However, thanks to advance
planning, one consequence
may be improved service
for citrus shippers in what is
shaping up as a better than
average year for exports.
“The message can go
out to the industry that
DCT (Durban Container
Terminal) and shipping
lines are gearing up to
streamline reefer business
this season, and ground
operations should be better
than what was previously
seen, although anticipation
of a bumper crop and
further migration of citrus
to containers could result in
a 10-15% increase in citrus
container volume transiting
through DCT this year,” the
Citrus Growers’ Association
(CGA) told its shippers last
week.
Seeking to determine
how port construction will
impact its shipments, CGA
representatives met with
senior staff of DCT and
worked on ways to reduce
bottlenecks.
“DCT and shipping lines
(particularly Maersk and
Safmarine) are gearing
themselves up to focus more
on citrus reefers routed
through DCT Pier 1 and
2 for the coming season.
Pier 2 re-construction of
the quay wall could, but is
not expected to, affect the
Maersk and Safmarine main
Europe and Middle East
strings,” the CGA said in a
report to its shippers.
On the contrary, CGA
noted, “The transfer of
general non main string
vessels to MW and Point
locations could be beneficial
by reducing the general
congestion into DCT from
Bayhead point. The MSC
EU and Far East pendulum
service has been moved
over to Pier 1 from Pier
2 so we should see better
service levels and plug-in
availability at both terminals
this season.
Plug-in points have been
increased by 30% at Pier
2, to 1400 FEU, and are
stacked four high at the new
reefer stack at RR3. Backup
generators will be brought
in by DCT if demand
exceeds available plug in
points.
“The road upgrade
between Langeberg Road
and Pier 1 is due for
completion by June and
this should allow the free
passage of trucks into the
zone, hopefully reducing the
bottlenecks commonly seen
along Bayhead Road,” noted
the CGA.
One shipper told FTW,
“Citrus shippers have
always had problems with
congestion at Durban,
and we anticipated real
delays because of the port
construction this year. It’s
good news that by trying to
avoid that, port managers
may be addressing longerterm
causes for the delays
and congestion and finding
permanent solutions.”