CT loses 300 hours to wind in January

Wind has played havoc
in the Port of Cape Town
which was wind-bound for
over 300 hours in January,
according to a spokesman
for the Port Liaison
Forum, an initiative of
the Cape Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
While the official figures
for February are not
available, it’s likely that
several hundred hours have
been lost as the Cape has
been plagued by heavier
than usual winds in the
past few weeks.
This has taken its toll on
the liquid bulk industry –
with a lot of cargo being
routed via other ports
that are less affected by
wind, according to the
spokesman. “There has
also been less demand for
diesel – specifically from
the likes of Eskom which
has seen diesel volumes
drop at the port, affecting
overall liquid bulk
volumes.”
But dry bulk is on the
increase. “The volumes
are continuing to come in.
This is attributed to the
growing number of agri
imports through the Port
of Cape Town.”
Import volumes
increased slightly ahead
of the Chinese New Year
while export figures
were in line with budget
expectations.