The second batch of rubber tyred gantries (RTGs) ordered by Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is “well advanced”, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has said.
Speaking after the commissioning last Wednesday of nine new RTGs, which form part of TPT’s broader fleet expansion totalling 28 new cranes, Meyer added that components for the third batch (of RTGs) had already arrived.
Commenting on Transnet’s R3.4 billion investment plan for Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT), he said the inauguration of the cranes highlighted the strategic importance of capital investment in port infrastructure to unlock economic growth and job creation.
“Progress with the assembly of the second batch of RTGs is well advanced, and the components of the third batch have already arrived. These interventions are essential to improving the competitiveness of our maritime logistics and enhancing the Port of Cape Town’s standing in global indices such as the World Bank Container Port Performance Index (CPPI).”
In the most recent CPPI reports, the port has been flagged for poor performance, excessively so compared to other ports globally, and, more specifically, compared to other ports in Africa.
But the metrics used by the World Bank have been called into question by none other than Transnet chief executive Michelle Phillips, who has been instrumental in turning Transnet around from the corruption and collapse of services that have characterised the logistics utility in the last few years.
Phillips has been particularly concerned about the significance of the robust RTGs, especially for the often windbound CTCT, dubbing them the “red ladies”.
Industry executives like Terry Gale, chairperson of Exporters Western Cape, followed suit, saying the Liebherr cranes were a welcome addition to the port, especially because of their anti-sway capacity.
These RTGs can handle winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour, at least 20kmph, more than what was previously the case.
He added that: “There is a full-service contract in place with the Liebherr team to assist with any issues, so no outsourcing or running around looking for the cheapest spare parts in case of a breakdown.”
Gale said it should be remembered that not too long ago, CTCT was hamstrung by “incessant breakdowns thanks to ageing equipment that had not been serviced, or repairs taking excessively long as sourcing of second-hand parts became an issue due to lack of funding”.
The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) said the new cranes had come into operation at an opportune time, positively buoying port performance across the board.
In September’s first Cargo Movement Update, compiled in conjunction with Business Unity SA, Saaff found that Cape Town’s throughput had risen by 16%.
In so doing, it played a significant role in a new TPT benchmark – 103 086 TEUs handled in a week, up from the 101 295 milestone recorded in July.
“The freight forwarding industry, shipping lines (MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM and ONE), the agricultural export community, the Cape Town Business Chamber, and other private sector stakeholders salute this significant achievement,” a Saaff statement said after last week’s RTG ceremony.
“As a collective voice, we reaffirm that collaboration between the public and private sectors is the only sustainable pathway to improved logistics performance and the facilitation of South Africa’s trade.”
Gale said port progress was also in evidence at a Port Consultative Committee meeting on Friday.
“There’s all-round collaboration and cooperation at the moment.”
