Maize and reefers pump up Eastern Cape port volumes

Increasing bulk and
breakbulk volumes is
high on the agenda for
Transnet
Port
Terminals in
the Eastern
Cape.
According
to Siya
Mhlaluka,
TPT general
manager,
Eastern Cape
Terminals,
it’s all about
improving
service
delivery.
“Alignment various
divisions of Transnet has
enabled seamless solutions
for the import and export
market, facilitating more
trade in the region,” he told
FTW. “The introduction of
skiptainers as an innovative
handling method has seen
an increase
in manganese
throughput at
PE terminals.”
The skip
operation for
manganese
has more
than doubled
over the past
12 months,
according to
Mhlaluka.
This is
despite the
tough global
economic climate that has
seen transhipment volumes
in the Eastern Cape drop by
19%.
The terminals in the region
did however see an increase
in maize imports.
“Particularly in East
London we have seen some
substantial increases in
maize imports – largely
attributed to the ongoing
drought in the country.”
He said reefer volumes
were also promising thanks
to the excellent citrus harvest
in the region last year.
“These volumes
contributed 13% of the
volume handled at the
Ngqura Container Terminal
and this compares very well
with the 2016 season. With
1680 reefer plugs at Ngqura,
in addition to 800 plugs at
the Port Elizabeth Container
Terminal, the region is
able to respond to market
demand.”
Mhlaluka said the
introduction of a rail
service between Port
Elizabeth and Ngqura had
also enhanced customer
service significantly in the
past year.
“Our biggest challenge
going forward is the global
economic environment that
is under pressure, but this
has encouraged us to be
more innovative and efficient
with our service offering.”
INSERT AND CAPTION
The introduction
of skiptainers has
seen an increase
in manganese
throughput at PE
terminals.
– Siya Mhlaluka
CAPTION
1680 reefer plugs help Ngqura
respond to reefer market demand.