Importers urged to play their part in easing congestion

Accepting after-hours deliveries would help
ALAN PEAT
THERE ARE two sides to every story, and all the blame for the alarming signs of congestion at the Port of Durban cannot be laid at the door of the port authorities, according to a memo from the forwarding major, Safcor Panalpina. It confirmed the now well-told story that shipping lines are threatening to re-impose congestion surcharges as delays at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) worsen. According to figures released by Safcor Panalpina in the last week of October, 19 000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were then in the stacks and 20 vessels carrying 16 000-TEUs were expected in the following seven days. “At present,” said the statement, “the longest berthing delay is 168-hours – and port management has begun moving uncleared containers at the end of the three-day “free” period to off-site licensed depots in an effort to keep the stacks fluid.” But Safcor Panalpina reinforced the case put by the authorities – that importers also play a large part in this situation because of their reluctance to accept deliveries outside of normal office hours, and their failure to ensure the pre-clearance of cargo before the arrival of carrying vessels. “In order to avoid these additional movements and expenses,” said the memo, “we wish to remind importers that their documents and clearing instructions should be received at least five working days prior to a ship’s expected arrival dates.” Further supporting the National Ports Authority (NPA), Safcor Panalpina also re-issued an earlier appeal – that, if they can do so, importers should indicate that they will accept after-hours deliveries of containers.