TERRY HUTSON IN WHAT is something of a surprise development, Durban Car Terminal executive manager Bev Masson is transferring to the Durban Multi Purpose Terminal (MPT). Maybe it shouldn’t be seen as unexpected, as the MPT has long been one of SA Port Operations’ troublesome terminals and Masson is seen as the driving force behind the success of the car terminal. The rationale is that if anyone has the ‘oomph’ to turn round its fortunes it will be her. Nor will it be her first taste of breakbulk cargo – this is where she cut her teeth as the first female to invade what was then considered a man’s world. In those days she was just another dockworker, albeit a female, where she had to prove herself not only to management but also to the men around her. That she was successful is no secret and Masson was asked to head up the car terminal some eight or so years ago when it still occupied a field over on Pier One. Since then it has moved to Cato Creek and become a leading success among port terminals, winning accolades and awards. Masson’s empowering style of management is largely credited for this success, and the car terminal has increased in volume from 40 000 units a year to an anticipated 400 000 motor vehicles in 2006. That’s almost ten times the volume of the next busiest car terminal. Her challenges at the MPT, now relocated to the Point and equipped with two ‘Godzilla’ heavylift cranes but otherwise reliant on ships' gear, will be many and daunting. Not the least she faces a strong labour challenge. But the MPT also faces numerous other challenges from unexpected container traffic as well as the intrusion of the car terminal which takes up at least a third of the stacking space. It is going to be a big ask, but in the eyes of Sapo and many other observers this diminutive lady is up to it. Breakbulk worldwide is a diminishing product and remains time and space consuming. Durban has retained a healthy volume – 7.4mt in 2005 equally distributed between imports and exports, making it by far the largest breakbulk terminal of any port. MPT’s new offices are situated at 111 Point Rd, the old historic Point Railway Station building, directly overlooking the terminal.
