CT port thinks out of the box

The Port of Cape Town is
looking at improving its
operational efficiency by
using the Bellville Container
Terminal far more optimally.
According to port manager
Sipho Nzuza, a strategy is being
developed involving Transnet
National Ports Authority
(TNPA), Transnet Port
Terminals (TPT) and Transnet
Freight Rail (TFR).
Nzuza said the aim was
to optimise the capacity of
operations across the port.
“One of the questions we
have been asking is why should
containers be stacked at the
port. Why are we trying to find
solutions around a congested
area. It would make far more
sense to get the trucks to take
them to an area where there
is no congestion, where there
is no wind and then also pick
them up from that area.”
He said Belcon was
underutilised and therefore
they had initiated talks with
TFR and TPT to discuss the
possibility of that becoming the
stack for the Cape Town Port.
“We can move the containers
by rail between the port and
Belcon far more efficiently than
we are doing at the moment by
having them delivered by truck
to the terminal. At the same
time trucks are going to be able
to enter and exit the Belcon
facility far more easily.”
It is a move that has been
welcomed by industry who
for some time
have called
for a solution
around the
truck congestion
at the container
depots at the
port as well as at
the stack.
“It makes so
much sense and
the impact of
such a move on
efficiency will be
huge,” said an exporter.
Nzuza said while the strategy
was still under discussion,
all the roleplayers were on
board and committed to
finding a solution in which
rail would in
all probability
play a much
larger role.
According
to Nzuza
discussions
were also
under way
on how to
move more
containers to
Gauteng via
rail.
“We need a rail strategy
that links Belcon to City
Deep in Gauteng far more
effectively than what is
currently the case,” he said.
“There have been issues
around the reliability of the
rail service because of the
locomotive and shift changes
that have to occur en route
and that cause delays. We are
talking to TFR to see how
we can address these issues.
Already the new locomotives
that are coming will make a
major difference.”
He said it was imperative
for the port to work with
all stakeholders. “We have
a team with stakeholders
from all the various entities
working together on this
strategic development.”
INSERT & CAPTION
We are committed
to finding a solution
in which rail will in
all probability play a
much larger role.
– Sipho Nzuza
CAPTION
Port of Cape Town