JULY CONTAINER movements through the Port of Durban reveal a marked increase on the same period for 1996 despite fears of the effects of the devalued rand on the local economy.
The latest statistics from Portnet show that a total of 75777 teus (6m equivalent units) were handled at the container terminal for the month. This compares with the 71 076 handled in July last year. The figure does not include those containers loaded or offloaded at other berths such as the Combi or City Terminal or Maydon Wharf.
Exports once again exceeded imports while transhipments continue to play an important role in container handling.
Total imports for the month were 33 344 teus, while exports topped out at 34 994 (32 362 and 30 502 for 1996). The same trend exists with coastwise movements - 982 for imports and 2 099 exported. Transhipments totalled 7 439 for the month (8212 in 1996).
These increased volumes come in the face of increased pressure on shipping lines to make more use of Port Elizabeth.
A total of 439 ships arrived in Durban during July and 430 sailed - an average of 14 ships arriving each day. In addition there were 132 internal ship movements.
By Terry Hutson
