'Lets talk'

There are admittedly
challenges with regard to
landside operations at Durban
Container Terminal (DCT) –
and ongoing engagement with
transporters to address these
issues is a “work in progress”,
according to Transnet Port
Terminals CE Karl Socikwa.
He told FTW in an exclusive
interview that terminal
operations at sub-Saharan
Africa’s biggest port and the
southern hemisphere’s fourth
biggest container terminal was
a “full contact, 24-hour sport”
and that problems crept in
when labour (human beings),
systems and equipment were
not working in synchronicity.
“Lately, the demand at the
port has simply exceeded the
available equipment – for
various reasons – and we own
the fact that we should have
engaged more openly with our
various customers about the
challenges we were facing. But
we’ve recognised that flaw and
are addressing it,” said Socikwa.
He outlined reasons such
as the new Terex cranes
catching fire on several
different occasions, the
moving of the straddle
carriers “in recent weeks” to
a new stacking area, and the
expansion of the paving area.
“This has meant that
certain equipment has not
been in service – and the
recent suspension of several
staff members at the port has
also impacted operations,”
commented Socikwa. He
added that interim plans
had been made to bring
straddle carriers in from the
Cape Town port to ease the
loading challenges.