CT port reassesses breakbulk plans

A drop in bulk and breakbulk volumes at the Port of Cape Town has prompted a re-evaluation by the port authorities. “Volumes are down and are not picking up and we are currently around 20% below budget for bulk and at least 40% below budget for breakbulk,” port manager Sipho Nzuza told FTW. “It is very difficult to say why we are not getting the bulk and breakbulk volumes we were expecting but we believe that world trade is as much to blame as anything else.” He said with the economy globally still depressed and the port being so far south, volumes were not growing as was hoped. “Which is why we have to look at new and innovative ways for the port to remain viable. We need to ascertain if we are on the right track and if bulk and breakbulk are cargoes that we want to chase,” he said. With container business continuing to show good volumes, he said the port was doing well all round with a renewed focus on the ship repair industry. “We currently have two rigs in the port and while it is not necessarily making huge amounts of money for the port, it is good.”