Durban terminal shuts out reefer truckers

Shortage of plug points leaves hauliers high and dry ALAN PEAT THE DURBAN container truckers are again up in arms over what they claim is a “poor performance” by the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) in recent times with refrigerated (reefer) containers – and the failure of anybody from the terminal to pitch up for a recent meeting to discuss the matter. According to Kevin Martin of Freightliner, and vice-chairman of the Durban harbour carriers' section of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff), the DCT “only has one contingency plan when they run out of plug points for reefers – they shut the gates”. This is no answer, he added, especially where a workable contingency could be the DCT redirecting expected reefer shipments to Pier Number 1 – where 136 plug points are available, and seldom all used. “Our reefer members have complained that three times recently they have been shut out of DCT because of a professed shortage of plug points.” Under the current situation, these unwanted reefers have to search out available space at one of the port’s private container terminals, and lodge the container there until they can gain access to the DCT – often as long as 48-hours later. While the trucker gets compensated for these costs by his clients, it’s still a very unsatisfactory solution, Martin added – pointing out that it means a whole rescheduling of vehicles over the delay period, until the transport contractor can fulfil his contract of delivering the reefer(s) direct to the DCT. “They shouldn’t make their problem our problem,” he told FTW, “and should do their own movement of excess reefers to the alternative private depots at their own cost, not lumber us with a delay until we can deliver as per contract to the DCT.” Martin added that the harbour carriers were due to have a meeting with DCT management this week – when they intended to “slam dunk” them with this reefer problem.