The Port of Durban is pulling out all the stops to keep its customers satisfied.
Following the introduction last week of an automated truck slot booking system at Pier 1, employees at the terminal have been working around the clock to ensure that the system performs optimally, according to the general manager Port of Durban Moshe Motlohi.
Its focus now is on the deployment of the 13 newly arrived straddle carriers at Pier 2, which has 15 new electric straddle carriers which are planned for commissioning and handover to operations in August.
The remaining eight will also arrive this month to complete the full order for the current calendar year.
Its staff complement has also moved up a notch with the return of 20 employees from the Durban Container Terminal (Pier 1) who volunteered to assist with Covid-19 recovery measures at the Port of Cape Town, which has since passed its peak of the outbreak.
Recognising the importance of avoiding a similar congestion debacle at KZN ports, the Transnet National Ports Authority this week hosted its first joint Covid-19 Virtual Imbizo with the Ports of Durban, Richards Bay and Cape Town.
The focus was on sharing lessons learnt in the Western Cape and looking at how those lessons could be of value to the Kwa-Zulu Natal Ports.
And adding some light to a somewhat gloomy picture, the latest Port of Durban stats confirm that this reefer season saw the port exporting its highest number of reefer containers – at 30 535 TEUs, 20% higher than the same period last year when it handled 25 528.