Durban creaks under record July volumes

Terminal experiences delays of up to 72 hours, writes Terry Hutson AMIDST DISTURBING reports of continuing delays at the Durban container terminal, Portnet's latest figures for July, just released, indicate that a whopping 111 000 TEUs were handled, which far surpasses the previous best ever figure of 103 000 set last October. A breakdown of recent container moves reveals some unexpected trends. In the four months April to June this year exports of full containers rose by 12 000 TEUs, while empty exports dropped by 16 000, compared with the same period in 2000. On the import side, full containers were marginally up whereas empty imports increased by a phenomenal 17 000 TEUs. Transhipments rose by 6 700 TEUs for the period. Why there should be such a surge in container volumes so early in the year is not yet clear - normally the upward curve begins only in August or September. On the other hand the July volumes are not helping a terminal that has come under increasing strain in recent weeks, with shipping delays lasting anywhere between one and 72 hours. The adverse weather in Cape Town recently hasn't helped matters either, causing some bunching of ships, which adds to the pressure. But according to several shipping lines canvassed, the main problem continues to be one of productivity, as a result of infrastructural breakdowns. Durban's fleet of straddle carriers is plainly not able to cope with the volumes now coming through the port, and the lack of capital expenditure on such infrastructure in recent years is being felt acutely. Portnet has seconded additional technicians to repair the machines that are out of commission, but such is the legacy of poor maintenance that users of the terminal can expect to continue experiencing delays at least until the first of the order for new straddle carriers and gantry cranes begins arriving either later this year or early in the new year.