Edgin introduces 24-hour service

Doing its bit to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic at the Cape Town Container Terminal, Edgin Logistic Solutions has introduced 24-hour operations at its full container storage yard in Cape Town. Effective since November 1, the yard is open from 06h00 on a Monday until 14h00 on Saturdays. Sunday trading remains unchanged on an “as needed” basis. And the good news from a cost perspective is that no additional overtime charges are passed onto the clients who make use of the facility after normal trading hours. “Our handling and storage rates are already amongst the lowest in the industry, something we’ve achieved by streamlining operations,” says director Dave Johnson. “The decision to move to a 24 hour operation is based on the fact that the Cape Town Container Terminal operates in that way, and we see no reason why as an industry we can’t follow suit and assist in smoothing the peaks and valleys experienced at the terminal.” Edgin pioneered the instant drop-off and collect system which enables the container yard to operate outside normal office hours, says Johnson. “Once our clients have opened their account, they can collect and drop off containers any time without sending tedious e-mail or telefax notifications beforehand. A “blue slip” is collected as evidence of storing the container, and upon presentation the bearer is able to collect the container at any time, day or night. The blue slip is in effect a negotiable instrument, much like a bill of lading presented to a vessel, or a CTO presented in the port.” The move will be welcomed by TPT which has for some time encouraged the private sector to extend their working hours to avoid peak period delays.