Earth moving major insists on P&O Ports

TERRY HUTSON P&O Ports is well-known in South Africa as a leading stevedore company, as well as for terminal operations internationally, so having to handle project cargo is nothing unusual in a day in the life of the P&O Ports team. “In fact we handle about 90% of all Hitachi and Komatsu heavy earth moving equipment – Hitachi actually insists on P&O Ports after having experienced our service,” says Pat Gilfoyle, operations manager at P&O Ports in Durban. He explained why the company enjoyed handling project cargo. “It’s mostly good clean work, we have all the required equipment and resources, and there are very few hidden costs.” P&O Ports was engaged in a project cargo contract in central Mozambique when interviewed by FTW. “We sent our team up there to discharge the cargo, mostly heavy equipment for a new plant being built on the coast. It’s an ongoing contract with cargo being shipped from Durban and Richards Bay and we’ve received good support from both Röhlig Grindrod and Mainport Africa who are also involved,” said Gilfoyle Because this particular project is being discharged along an isolated position, with no harbour in close proximity, the equipment has to be taken ashore in lighters with the ship standing offshore, calling for careful handling by everyone concerned. The most recent project cargo handled by the company involved a new ship unloader that was discharged at Durban’s Maydon Wharf early in May (2006). Once assembled the unloader will see duty alongside Durban Bulk Terminals where it will more than double discharge rates.