Durban ship delays raise concern

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is not living up to its promises about clearing up ships delayed outside the Port of Durban, according to a shipping line executive who talked confidentially to FTW. This relates to TPT’s practice of sending memos to lines showing its booking programme over the following three weeks. “When we first receive this, week three would normally have a couple of slots available,” he added. “But, by the time week three becomes week one, it’s likely to be booked or overbooked.” The problem arose when, almost two weeks ago, eight ships were outside at anchor waiting to berth. This worried the lines, but TPT told them not to worry, because they would claw it back to two ships in the next ten days. “But now, 13 days later, it has grown out to 13 vessels, and that’s excessive, even allowing for wind delays (which are the same every year at this time) and crane damage, which TPT suggested were reasons. “As I said, even allowing for these, the build-up’s the highest it’s been for a long time, and doesn’t hold good for the future after TPT’s claw-back promises let us down.” INSERT ‘The build-up’s the highest it’s been for a long time, and doesn’t hold good for the future.’