Durban’s Pier 1 container terminal re-opens

Facility to run independently of DCT TERRY HUTSON DURBAN’S PIER 1 Container Terminal, which re-opened last week, is the first to introduce rubber tyre gantry (RTG) working at any of the country’s container ports. And this week SA Port Operations laid claim to another ‘first’ – having the only women RTG operators in the world. Pier 1 closed during December to enable a R2 billion fast-track development of the terminal. When the first ship came alongside on May 7, Pier 1 was equipped with Liebherr ship to shore gantry cranes and RTGs on land. The terminal also has 33 tractor trailers, two reach stackers and two Empty Container Haulers (ECH). Although operated by Sapo, the 720 000-TEU capacity Pier 1 will be run entirely independently of the nearby Durban Container Terminal (DCT) with separate management, berth planners and personnel, most of whom have been hired from outside the company. Extensive training under a team from Sri Lanka has taken place and this includes the seven women who are believed to be the first females anywhere to qualify as RTG operators. “We have trained RTG operators in India, Sri Lanka and Dubai and this is the first time we have heard of female RTG operators in the world,” said Sri Lankan trainer Errol Ryan. He said he was initially concerned when he saw the women’s names. “After the training I can safely say that the women have performed, in some instances, better than the men. This is definitely a world first and Sapo must be congratulated for giving their female employees this opportunity. Sapo is making history.” Shipping companies, agents and shippers will no doubt expect a marked improvement in productivity at the new terminal, which carries little or none of the ‘baggage’ of the past that has so slowed down operations at DCT over the years. As such it is going to be an interesting exercise comparing the performances of two terminals operating side by side, one modern and well equipped and the other much larger terminal working to a completely different process (straddle carriers).