Durban discharges 15 millionth container

Terry Hutson
IN RECENT months the Durban container terminal has been under the spotlight for reasons of low productivity, general congestion and port strikes, but last week (Friday February 1) a happier moment was achieved with the discharge of the 15 millionth box to be handled at the terminal since 1977.
The momentous occasion was reached with a 6m Evergreen container, number EMCU 315821 being lifted off the container ship Agios Dimitrios I which by coincidence is a former Evergreen ship.
Despite recent problems the terminal remains number one in not only Africa but the Southern hemisphere as well. At the current rate of well over a million TEUs a year the terminal will top the 20 million mark within 5 years. Terminal manager Zeph Ndlovu claimed last weekÕs event as a landmark.
"This indicates that the Durban terminal is still going strong and will thrive for many years to come. It has served the Durban community for over 26 years and continues to create employment for many of our people," he told FTW.