Despite a decline in the
throughput at the Port of
Durban’s container terminal
during the first quarter of the year,
industry remains hopeful for a
turnaround in the next few months.
According to Esteve Servajean,
managing director of CMA CGM
South Africa, several factors have
contributed to the decrease in
container volumes.
“It has mainly been due to a lack
of customer confidence, which is
not unexpected
in the face of
the interest
rate hikes
and the
increase
in the fuel
price. The
impact
of the low
rand has
also played a
role,” he
told
FTW. “In terms of exports the
citrus season has got off to a very
slow start because of bad weather
in January in many of the growing
areas, which has also impacted
volumes.”
But, said
Servajean, with
the country’s
general
election now
something
of the past,
getting down
to business will
be high on the
agenda – and
that will create
a stable environment that will
impact positively on confidence
levels.
“We are very confident about
the second and third quarters and
anticipate a recovery, with volumes
increasing,” he said.
Delays at the port remain
problematic, says Servajean, as
vessels are held up. “With
port refurbishment
ongoing – as has
been the case at
berths 108 and
109 – we have
had some concerns at times,
but we realise this is necessary.
If one looks at the plans set out
by Transnet, one can only be
optimistic about the future.”
Over the past
few months
the line has
started several
new services,
says Servajean,
such as the
Rhino Express
that covers
five ports from
Durban to
Mozambique.
“We are soon
going to be launching the Khulu
Express linking to the USA.”
At the same time, said Servajean,
bigger vessels have been deployed
on the services linking South
Africa with the Middle East as well
as the Shaka Service that links the
country to the Far East region.
“Ultimately bigger vessels allow
for bigger allocation offerings to
customers,” he said. “This will
impact positively on the Durban
Port and the South African
economy in the long run.”
INSERT & CAPTION
We are soon going to be
launching the Khulu Express
linking to the USA
– Esteve Servajean
