Lack of communication inhibits truck flow at RB

A serious lack of communication from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to the road transport industry is currently throttling the flow of truck-transported breakbulk cargoes of coal and minerals to the Port of Richards Bay. According to Theuns van Tonder, manager of port operations at Saldanha and Richards Bay for steel company ArcelorMittal, this is a vital supply line to the port. “Road transport is a permanent fixture,” he told FTW, “due to the inability of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) to meet industry requirements.” And, he added: “It is foreseen that road motor transport (RMT) will increase significantly to Richards Bay in future.” There were two recent instances of the port management’s lack of communication which are inhibiting the efficient flow of heavy trucks, according to Van Tonder. One was Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) introducing an alternative truck stop at Alton, on the Western Arterial roadway outside central RB, as from November 28. “This,” he told FTW, “with no prior consultation with port users.” The second disturbing factor is that the muchneeded truck staging area at the South Port Entrance has not yet materialised. This, according to Van Tonder, because of TNPA moving forward at a snail’s pace, and keeping quiet about it. “The implementation dates are unknown,” he said, “due to a complete lack of information/communication from TNPA.” To try to overcome these major problems, the SA Shippers’ Council (SASC) has submitted to TNPA proposals gleaned from port users and road transporters. One set out procedures for all cargo-carrying trucks above 3 500 kilograms entering the port through the West Gate and bound for the 7 series RMT staging area. The other laid out all the site development requirements to upgrade the RMT staging area into an efficient and smoothrunning facility. According to Van Tonder, the urgent implementation of these industry suggestions is intended to overcome the present problems slowing down movement along this critical supply line to the Port of Richards Bay.