DCT beefs up staff and productivity

Durban Container Terminal has introduced several initiatives to beef up employee performance, DCT terminal executive Hector Danisa told FTW last week. It plans to review executive committee (Exco) management and the technical structure, close all vacancies and introduce mentorship and missiondirected teams and intershift competition. “We are focusing on the so-called ‘softer’ issues now,” said Danisa, “namely intensifying efforts to improve employee productivity, boost morale, reduce absenteeism, improve safety, and inculcate a real performance culture across the terminal.” But, for port users, probably the most visible effects have been increases in the number of the gangs working at DCT Pier 2 and Pier 1. The plan for DCT Pier 2 was to man 15 gangs, and 150 people were recruited in what is intended to be a continuing process designed to do away with casual labour and replace it with permanent roles in the terminal. “DCT has beefed up its human resources,” Danisa told FTW, “with around 200 new employees introduced into operations, especially as crane operators. DCT could now comfortably have 15 operational teams in place.” At Pier 1, meantime, 12 operators of lifting equipment (OLEs) have been recruited and are currently undergoing training. The resultant six gangs will have the capability to man six STS cranes and two rubbertyred gantries.