Seven long-reach cranes are on their way to South Africa, which should help to lessen vessel congestion at the country’s ports – the primary cause of what has become known as the country’s “logistics crisis”.
The Port of Durban, in particular, is in drastic need of additional equipment as cargo processing inadequacies have led to inbound vessels waiting at outer anchorage, delaying as many as 71 000 containers from being offloaded for up to three weeks.
Despite the dire situation experienced at Durban, it is not certain what equipment, if any, might be expected at the problematic port.
Transnet Board chair Andile Sangqu has said the badly needed cranes currently on route from Los Angeles, will be here by next week.
“The acquisition of the cranes is a capital-intensive undertaking,” he said.
“We must thank all our customers who have taken up an opportunity to work with us to find solutions and raise the finance to make it possible.”
He said it is a good example of how the private sector can use its strengths to help relieve throughput deficiencies experienced at the country’s ports.
He did not indicate at what ports the cranes will be utilised and what the operational timeframe of the equipment is.
