Durban extends slot-berthing principle

.. as lines get back on schedule Alan Peat THE NEW slot-berthing principle at the Port of Durban’s container berths and terminal - where authorised, scheduled liner vessels get priority - has been progressing quietly and reasonably satisfactorily up to now, according to information released to FTW by SA Port Operations (Sapo) at the harbour. When we first enquired just before Christmas, Sapo’s operations executive John Hyde told us that berths 205 and 204 were operating the slot-berthing principle. But, he added, at that time, some vessels were struggling to keep to schedules because of the serious delays experienced during the October industrial stay-away and its congestion aftermath. However, added Hyde, “the lines are in the process of getting these vessels on schedule.” Talking this year to Sapo’s Grant Noades, he confirmed that 204 and 205 were effectively up-to-speed, although occasional ships were still out of schedule, often the result of delays at other ports along the coast. However, the problems seem minor, according to Noades’ investigation. Berth 203, he added - the third to go into the slot-berthing procedure - is ready to start running. But, said Noades, it will only be in place towards the end of the month (January).