Industry backs multipurpose licence application

Industry has called on Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) to grant a multipurpose licence to the FPT Group at the Port of Port Elizabeth as it increases the South African offering to its local and international shippers alike. This follows a request from TNPA for industry comment having received an application from FPT Group to have their existing breakbulk licence converted to a multipurpose licence. It requires the amendment of their existing lease agreement affording them the right to handle other cargo in addition to the perishable cargo they are currently entitled to handle. “It makes absolute sense,” said Mike Walwyn, chairman of the Cape’s Port Liaison Forum and vice chairman of the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff). “Not only is the perishable business seasonal, it has also changed significantly in recent years and become far more containerised. There is far more to be gained by allowing them a multipurpose licence.” The company has also already been granted a multipurpose licence for its terminal in Cape Town where it has proven to be extremely useful. “They have added major value at the Port of Cape Town in absorbing the overf low from the container terminal. The granting of a multipurpose terminal licence at this port has proven to be very positive on the port environment as a whole and the same can be expected in Port Elizabeth. It gives shipping lines and shippers an alternative and that is good for the country as a whole,” said Walwyn. Other industry roleplayers have agreed, saying that restricting the terminal to a breakbulk licence would ultimately remove valuable capacity from the port system. According to Dr Dawie Ferreira, FPT Group managing director, the conversion of the licence will mean the terminal will no longer have to seek permission from TNPA for every vessel calling at its terminal. “From a business perspective, we will now be able to market our diversified supply chain services effectively and be able to invest in equipment to service the diversified business without running the risk of being denied permission,” he said. FPT Port Elizabeth has handled more than a million tons of bulk, general cargo and breakbulk cargo since cargo diversification commenced in 2006. Cargo types handled include fertilisers, wood chips/ fuel pellets, maize, palm oil cake extract, soybean meal, sunf lower pellets and wheat, and many types of general breakbulk cargo including fruit. “The Port Elizabeth harbour in general is seen as a cargo-starved port and we believe that to be able to grow these volumes for the benefit of the Port, and to ensure the continued viability of FPT’s terminal business in the port, the granting of a multipurpose terminal operator licence to FPT is an imperative,” said Ferreira. The company has confirmed it also intends to apply for a multipurpose licence at the Port of Durban. INSERT & CAPTION It gives shipping lines and shippers an alternative. – Mike Walwyn CAPTION Port of Port Elizabeth