In Durban it was the 'non-event of the century'

THERE'S BEEN a smooth transition to open gates at the Port of Durban container terminal, as a few private truckers begin to filter into ground previously exclusive to Portnet Cartage, according to Paul Rayner, m.d. of DTB Cartage and chairman of the harbour carriers section of SAAFF (SA Association of Freight Forwarders) in Durban.
It was no earth-shattering event, with private sector vehicles queueing up the length of Bayhead road. No major congestion, just an occasional newcomer sniffing his way way into what was previously a Portnet sanctuary.
The non-event of the century, was how one of Portnet's management described it.
All the measures that Portnet put into place - truck stops, electronic controls and the like - are only being used to a fraction of their capacity, Rayner told FTW. There's been a bit of a switch to private haulage, but nothing significant.
Not that we had any big expectations. Everybody was a bit in the dark as to what it would all mean.
But everything we get is a bonus, so we can't lose anything.
Conservatism - that's the reason, Rayner added. You need to be able to convince people, he said.