Creating capacity ahead of demand

When it comes to global competitiveness, reducing the cost of logistics is a central theme. And Transnet Port Terminals is clearly on side – in its intentions if not always in practice. “TPT’s objective in the next five years is mainly around making sure that the country’s port system is really globally competitive,” says Mervin Chetty, GM of the Natal corridor. And achieving that goal demands focus on several areas. “We need to create capacity ahead of demand, to improve productivity and to up-skill our workforce.” And while South Africa may not be the main east/west trade route, within the region or within the continent it handles probably more than 80% of the volumes in Africa from a container and bulk point of view. “So it makes sense for us as a country to adopt a position of having a hub within sub-Saharan Africa. This will in turn facilitate a hub and spokes system within East and West Africa so that all traffic emanating from South Africa can be shortshipped into the different areas within this region, said Chetty. “It also positions South Africa from a NEPAD point of view to help landlocked countries to reduce transport costs which is high on the agenda.”