Durban no longer ‘busiest’ in Africa as upgrades cut capacity

The Port of Durban has lost its coveted title of being the busiest port in Africa to the Port of Alexandria in Egypt. According to Mteteleli Memani, outgoing assistant terminal executive manager: operations at the Port of Durban, the port has not been operating at full capacity due to construction work, while volumes have also been down due to the country’s larger trading partners being heavily affected by the ongoing economic meltdown, especially in Europe. “Durban is now the second busiest port in Africa. In 2010 the port was also the busiest port in the southern hemisphere but that has also changed as we were overtaken by the Port of Santos in Brazil in 2011.” He said the port however remained the busiest in South Africa with some 60% of the country’s trade going through Durban. “The Port plays an integral role in the South African logistics chain and is still a major gateway into Africa,” said Memani. “We must, however, take into consideration that our trading partners are different from those of Egypt and Brazil and have been severely affected by the global economic downturn. The result is that trade is not what was expected and therefore the port has not been as busy.” But, said Memani, they are two titles the port is committed to winning back once construction has been completed. With the port currently being dredged, quay walls being strengthened and berths being readied for new cranes, it is a hive of activity. “All of the construction is about creating capacity and being able to handle bigger volumes,” he said. CAPTION: The Port of Durban ... still busy but now the Port of Alexandria is the busiest in Africa and Santos the busiest in the southern hemisphere.