Diversity of services creates attractive value proposition

“BRING IT on” should be the motto for the port of East London. “Currently operating around 60% of overall capacity, the port is in the unique position of being able to aggressively pursue new growth opportunities, especially those linked to the lucrative industrial export market,” says port manager Jacqueline Brown. Overall, East London is well positioned to attract significantly larger volumes of cargo for both import and export, she says. “What is needed is a united front to position East London as a manufacturing city to local and international investors. The port’s track record for vessel turnaround time and productivity levels should be extremely attractive to any importer or exporter, specifically when linked with the weekly shipping service between Europe and South Africa.” Brown says one of the port’s biggest strengths remains the diversity of the services it offers as well as the commodities it handles. This linked to consistently high levels of performance with regard to productivity and overall efficiency was an important factor for future growth. “Service levels are of critical importance to all of us in the port logistics chain and the port authority, together with port service providers, is continuously looking at what we can do smarter and better and how to be more creative and innovative,” she says. With food prices on the rise, agriculture too remains an important potential growth sector. In addition to the grain elevator, East London has the capacity to handle live animals. Cattle from many parts of South Africa are exported to the islands of Mauritius and Reunion. The ship repair business can also be strengthened, with the dry dock being the only facility of its kind on this stretch of coast-line.