Depots around the Port of Durban (PoD) have been asked to synchronise their operations with the port’s objective to run a 24/7 operation, says Transnet National Ports Authority executive Moshe Motlohi.
TNPA’s general manager for the port, who also heads up the PoD Decongestion Task Team, says in a statement that the transport industry has a critical role to play in supporting efforts to alleviate congestion at the port and its surrounding networks, which negatively impacts communities in and around the port’s Bayhead Precinct.
Trucker compliance and training will be a big focus to unclog Africa’s busiest and most problematic port.
While the port is working 24/7, some of the businesses dependent on it are not really geared towards that, says Matlohi.
“Hence you will have these high peaks when everybody is trying to chase the narrow window that is called normal business hours. So we have looked at how we can sensitise port users and make them aware of opportunities outside of these normal business hours.
“I’m happy to report that we are seeing positive results in this regard around truck volume smoothing.”
In March Transnet Port Terminals piloted its truck booking system that predetermines the number of slots available in every hour, and customers choose their preferred slots. It’s an initiative that Motlohi believes has had a positive impact.
“We’re beginning to flatten those high peaks and seeing increased utilisation of slots that would traditionally be off peak or after hours, which is encouraging.
“I hope that we will continue on this trajectory and get everybody to use those windows. If we do that, we will have transport companies and truckers realising that it is not necessary for them to come and queue for hours on Bayhead Road. Instead you can come at another time and be in and out of the port more quickly, saving costs and increasing overall competitiveness.”
