EL records 480% volume increase

Leonard Neill THE PORT of East London handled an all-time record of 6744 TEUs in May this year, an increase of 480% over the same month last year when 1388 TEUs were handled. The port has now shown a dramatic increase during the past three months, handling a total of 15 675 TEUs compared to 4 198 for the same three month period during the year 2000. "The growth in cargo both in and out of East London can be attributed to the increase in motor vehicle shipments and to the regular direct sailings introduced last year from Europe and the Far East," says Portnet spokesman Terry Taylor. "In fact, during the entire year 2000, fewer than 20 000 container units came through this harbour, which means that we have passed that figure in the first five months of the year when January and February figures are included. "Motor vehicles and components have been a major boost as have the two weekly services provided by Safmarine and NYK." Taylor said the opportunity for local companies to export direct through the port rather than have cargo transhipped as in the past had encouraged the greater use of East London as a gateway to the outside world.