First quarter stats reflect marginal increase in export TEUs

the export of coal from Richards Bay increased by over 15% from 18.51 mt to 21.43 mt. However, exports of iron ore from Saldanha Bay declined by 11.9% from 14.10 mt in the first quarter of last year, to 12.43 mt this year. Breakbulk was the big sufferer in this first quarter comparison. Traffic dropped by 27.6%, from 4.60 mt in the 1st quarter of 2011 to 3.33 mt this year. The major performer, the Port of Durban, naturally also showed a drop (of 10.5%), from 1.67 mt in 2011 to 1.49 mt this year. Overall, the number of containers handled at the ports dropped by a marginal 3.8%, from 1 019 530 TEUs in the 1st quarter of 2011 to 980 307 TEUs in the same period this year. Also, the number of full boxes handled dropped by a lesser 1.8%, from 721 876 TEUs to 709 068 TEUs. However, direct imports into SA climbed by 5.1%, from 299 317 TEUs in 2011 to 314 536 TEUs this year. Also, exports were on the up and up, climbing 1.95% from 215 146 TEUs to 219 344 TEUs. “The marginal increase in export TEUs through first quarter 2012 at least indicates that manufacturing and perishable exports are seeing a return in global demand,” Dave Watts, maritime adviser to the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff), told FTW. “But there was a drop in March, and that may be due to statistical or seasonal reasons, but is worrying.” Watts also questioned whether the substantial cargo dues rebate introduced with the 2012-13 TNPA tariff announcement – and intended to encourage exports – would have a material impact. “That remains to be seen,” he added. Viewing the container import scene, Watts suggested that the performance was an historical norm. “Container imports continue their perpetual increase year on year, after the temporary hiatus in 2009,” he said.