Empty container depots adding to industry’s costs – Durban transporter

While delays at the Port of Durban are causing endless problems and resulting in additional costs for the shipping industry as a whole, little is said about the additional costs caused by empty container depots, says a Durban transporter. “Transporters are experiencing significant delays at some of these facilities,” the transporter told FTW Online. “Some of these depots hold containers on behalf of many lines, and like the port, are just not equipped to handle the volumes through their facilities. Shipping lines complain about the turnaround of their vessels at the port, but take little interest in ensuring a quick turnaround of vehicles at their appointed container depots. “Transporters are delayed for hours at major depots while waiting for containers to be turned in, cleaned and then released for export cargo. Most of these depots do not work 24 hours in line with the port and transporters, which further limits the ability of transporters and industry to perform. “If we want to improve our service and reduce costs, we need to revisit the whole logistics chain, and that includes the container depots which are an essential link in this chain.”