‘Minerals market key for port planning’

“Understanding the minerals market is key to planning the requirements and expectations of our ports,” says Kriba Naiken, managing director of ICM Group. “Minerals, including iron ore, chrome, manganese and others, but excluding precious metals such as platinum and gold contribute around 23% to the South African economy by value, and around 40% of shipping tonnage excluding coal. In the past, these trends were ignored and the resulting impact was that the economic growth of South Africa was limited to what our ports could handle,” said Naiken. ICM clearing and forwarding specialises in mineral logistics, exporting over 4000 containers a month while moving 60 000 tonnes a month through its bulk port and bulk export charter services. Shipping has been expedited through interaction with Durban port authorities, Naiken said. “At present, the ports interact often with the private sector, aligning themselves with global demands versus SA supply. ICM’s patented innovations like Skiptainer are also key in forging a long-term partnership, where Skiptainer has shown huge benefits in improving operational turnaround times at the ports for bulk Skiptainer trains. ICM, TFR and the National Port Ops are now creating long term strategies around products like Skiptainer,” he said. “ICM also handles over 1000 TEUs of import cargo and a vast amount of project-related cargo. Our people are our key and our operations team consists of 32 staff who operate an efficient system of managing our customers’ product and needs, whether bulk or container,” Naiken added. “Overall 2011 will be a tough year, but those companies that see it through will reap the rewards in 2012,” Naiken predicts.