Results for the Port of Durban year-to-date performance at the end of October were mixed, according to the latest edition of the Port of Durban Monitor.
The subdued global economy negatively impacted on the import and export volumes of containers and automotive units.
Container volumes were 1.561 million TEUs (a disappointing 10% below budget), as a result of the slowdown in the manufacturing sector.
But dry bulk volumes, at 6.438 million tonnes, were 60% above budget - driven by the increase in grain imports due to the current drought. Liquid bulk and breakbulk also saw good volumes in the period.
Automotive volumes were lower at 263 111 units (95 units below budget).
In operational performance, container ship turnaround time was 52 hours - an hour less than the set target of 53 hours. The automotive ship turnaround time was 28 hours - slightly above the 27-hour target. The port saw high levels of improvement in ship turnaround in the breakbulk, dry bulk and liquid bulk sectors.
The Port of Durban was on target with its anchorage waiting time for container vessels at 40 hours while anchorage waiting time for automotive vessels was at four hours - way above the 20-hour targeted time.
Container berth occupancy was 73% - well within the targeted range of 65% to 75%.
