Durban port congestion ‘at crisis level’

The waterside port congestion at the Port of Durban is no better – indeed one contact suggested it had now reached a crisis level. “There’s not much improvement as far as I have heard,” said a shipping line executive who did not want his name used. “But CSAV having come to a slot-charter agreement with MSC should make a couple of extra berths available. “I’ve heard that port management has made a slight improvement in its berthing plans, but that hasn’t been to everyone’s satisfaction.” Iain McIntosh, marketing manager of MOL, was reserved in his criticism. “I don’t think it’s any better,” he told FTW. “A week (since the last time we talked) should be a long time in port terms, but nothing has changed.” Sam Moffitt, MD of Hamburg Süd in SA, was more vigorous in his condemnation. “No, it definitely hasn’t got any better. In fact, I’m in the process of putting out another letter to our clients because it’s now getting near a crisis for us.”