Not only is there benefit to
African ports benchmarking
themselves against those in
other parts of
the world –
there is also
much to gain
from learning
from their
experiences,
according to
Tau Morwe,
CEO of
Transnet
National Ports
Authority
(TNPA).
He said
while South
African
ports may
be a far cry from those in
Amsterdam and Singapore
there was major benefit for
local authorities to engage
with their counterparts and
exchange knowledge and
share best practice.
“The world’s eye is on
Africa and we are seeing
unprecedented growth.
Developing a vibrant
maritime industry is crucial
in these times,” he said.
Transnet
group chief
executive
Brian Molefe
told FTW
that despite
ongoing
criticism
around the
Durban digout
port and
questions
about the
cost, it was
the only
feasible way
the country
could cater
for the expected growth.
“There is no way that
the Port of Durban will be
able to handle the volumes
that are predicted. We have
no choice but to construct
a second port that will be
able to deliver the necessary
capacity. Africa’s time has
come,” he said.
Both Morwe and Molefe
agreed that African
ports faced some serious
challenges in terms of
efficiency and cost – which
was why relationshipbuilding
with other ports
was so crucial.
“Port infrastructure
by its very nature is very
expensive and we have very
little room for error,” said
Morwe. “If port authorities
across Africa can get it right
and successfully address
their challenges by bringing
about more efficient port
operations, they will
effectively reduce the cost
of doing business across
the continent and open up
new cross-border business
opportunities.”
In this regard Gert-Jan
Nieuwenhuizen, director
international projects with
the Port of Amsterdam, said
there were some valuable
lessons to be shared.
“In Europe for instance we
have realised that short-sea
shipping is not the solution
to moving cargo as quickly
and cheaply as possible from
its origin to its end user and
we can bring much value to
the conversation,” he said.
This did not mean it
could not be implemented
in Africa, said Morwe,
but rather that different
approaches could be taken
to ensure success based on
the lessons learnt from other
countries.
INSERT & CAPTION 1
In Europe for instance
we have realised that
short-sea shipping
is not the solution
to moving cargo as
quickly and cheaply
as possible.
– Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen
INSERT & CAPTION 2
Port infrastructure by
its very nature is very
expensive and we
have very little room
for error.
– Tau Morwe
