Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan will visit Durban port to receive a progress report on the current status of operations following the devastating floods that caused severe destruction to the logistics chain and road network surrounding the port last week.
The visit is Gordhan’s second since the floods hit the city on Monday, April 11, bringing port operations to a standstill for a day before commencing on Wednesday - albeit at a slower pace. One of the main access roads to the port, Bayhead Road, was seriously damaged during the floods and bylaws had to be relaxed to divert food and fuel trucks along Edwin Swales Road on the Bluff.
However, by Friday port operations were back to normal, according to a communiqué sent out by Durban port manager, Mpumi Dweba-Kwetana, to Transnet’s customers and stakeholders.
“The Port of Durban is fully operational. There have been nine vessel movements for the day, the planned vessel movements for tonight are 12. Terminal operators are fully operational,” Dweba-Kwetana said in the note on Friday.
“The status quo for the arrangements for Bayhead Road still remains, that is, regarding the joint initiative between law enforcement, Bluff Councillor Gavin Hegter, and TNPA precinct managers who have resolved that the Bluff route will be of use to the trucking industry effective from Friday, April 15,” she said.
“Municipal bylaws have been relaxed to open up the alternative route from the harbour to the M7 Solomon Mahlangu Drive for trucks which transport essential cargo, prioritising fuel, food, pharmaceutical products and other essential cargo.”
She said terminal operators were required to submit a list of trucks daily to gain access to the alternative route.
“We will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders in order to restore a certain degree of normality in the affected areas,” she said.
According to a further update notice that Transnet provided to stakeholders that was shared with Freight News, following a business continuity plan meeting on Saturday, phase one repairs to the section of Bayhead Road that was washed away were ahead of schedule.
“Current plans are for a trial period to commence this evening at 18.00. The traffic management team currently in place will control the movement of trucks through the route. The "essential" goods requirement will fall away,” the notice said.
“Bluff Road route will continue to handle fuel movements during the ramp-up period. Tanker traffic will be held back during peak and school hours from Tuesday. A total of 140 tankers will have moved by 18.00,” the update said.
It also noted that there was now no serious fuel shortage in KZN.
Transnet Freight Rail’s engineering team has surveyed the Cato Ridge to port line, which is currently not open.
Transnet said that a test train had successfully run from Cato Ridge to Pietermaritzburg at a restricted speed and had continued to Johannesburg.
“Clearing the route to Bayhead terminals had been delayed due to today's weather but should be completed tomorrow (Sunday), with the BH (Bayhead) Terminal clean-up continuing. A test train will be planned tomorrow which, if successful, will commence bulk runs. The port continues in operation on the waterside. Debris clearance is ongoing,” the note said.
