Container volumes continue to rise

Container volumes have increased by 10-15% in the past three years, and longdistance transporter, Mweza Trans, expects more of the same for the future. “We therefore continuously look into expanding and increasing our capabilities to keep up with the demand,” said Mweza Trans’s Dewald Theron. The company is also involved in the abnormal cargo and projects business and has expanded its services in Cape Town significantly through investment in a container depot as well as reach stacker. This depot is geared for the storage of containers on shortterm basis. One of the biggest challenges affecting the container business is the wind factor at the ports, says Theron. “It’s the biggest challenge in the ports of Durban and Cape Town,” he said. “The resulting congestion means that when the ports reopen there is usually havoc as all efforts are made to catch up.” He says another challenge is the inspection of containers for release and pre-advice “that needs to be jacked up as well.” “Delays are costly and add significantly to logistics costs.” INSERT The wind factor at the ports is the biggest challenge. – Dewald Theron