Navis ‘disconnect’ creates problems at Kaserne

Forwarding and clearing agents are pulling their hair out with frustration over ongoing problems related to the preadvising of export containers at the Kaserne terminal in Gauteng. The issue is that the terminal is not on the Navis system and therefore regularly releases import containers without them being recorded on the system. The result is that when the containers are re-used for export, they’re rejected by the system. “It is an ongoing problem that is just not being addressed,” one agent told FTW. “Containers that are released from City Deep are not a problem as the terminal is on the Navis system. The Kaserne terminal, however, is not. So even though containers are released and leave the premises this is not registered on Navis.” The agent said there had been several incidents where containers were refused entry to the Durban terminal as the Navis system still recorded them as being in the Kaserne terminal. “So the pre-advising of the export container can’t take place because for all intents and purposes, according to the system, the container has never left the Kaserne terminal.” Another agent told FTW this had resulted in “millions of telephone calls trying to find someone at Transnet” who was able to sort out the problem. “Once you find the right person it takes only seconds for the information to be updated and the container is then good to go for export. It is however not always easy to find that person – and over a weekend it is near impossible. The fact that Kaserne terminal is not on Navis is causing major delays and it has a cost implication as well.” In correspondence in FTW’s possession between several agents and various Transnet officials – both from the port terminal and freight rail – it is clear that it is an operational IT issue. In one email a Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) employee emphasises that an export container cannot be allowed into the terminal and/or stack while it is still an active import container. “DCT IT cannot depart the units as we are unable to verify the outbound carrier. This is an operational issue." Agents say that while they are having no luck in getting the problem sorted out it is happening more often. At the time of going to press Transnet had not responded to requests for comment. INSERT The pre-advising of the export container can’t take place because for all intents and purposes, according to the system, the container has never left the Kaserne terminal.