‘Durban needs to face up to Maputo challenge’

ALAN PEAT
THE MARKET in Durban is a combination of development and challenge, according to Arnold Garber, MD of freight computer specialists, Compu Clearing. “It’s a natural growth market,” he said, “with freight and trade such a very large proportion of its domestic product – and is also showing signs of this growth being on-going. “It’s a big place, it’s a busy place - and I can detect that agents with whom we’re associated in Durban are very active.” Garber also notes that – although so much of business in SA has headquarters in Gauteng – a number of clients have head offices in the main city in Kwa Zulu Natal. “These companies are also extremely active,” he told FTW. “And you’ve got to remember that this is no backyard port in world terms – but very much a global port in its own right.” There’s another move in freight and trading which is also playing a role in stimulating business in Durban. “Something that’s very important,” said Garber, “is that in the main South African market, people in Gauteng are always in a hurry. “As part of this, the traditional exercise of bringing Gauteng-bound cargoes in-bond through Durban to the Reef has now changed – with cargo owners and their agents finding it quicker to clear these consignments in Durban, then tranship them up to Gauteng. “So, as people speed up more and more, this has to be good for the future fortunes of Durban.” There are, however, some interesting challenges for the city’s business if it wants to stay part of the main pack. Said Garber: “It is now so busy there that its facilities are just coping with the increasing flow. “They must be very careful, because they could start to lose out to other ports in SA – but particularly to the now fast developing potential at the port of Maputo in Mozambique, which is very much closer in road distance to much of Gauteng and Mpumulanga. “Durban therefore has to get its act together before Maputo really gets under way. They have a challenge there.”