New container depot on the planning boards

Development and business growth remain key strategies for Cypress Transport, which is in the process of securing land for the development of a brand new container depot. According to Durban branch manager Marlon Govender, the new depot, which will be able to store a maximum of 3000 TEUs, will be situated in a prime location near the port. “The Port of Durban remains one of the most important ports within South Africa and is currently the busiest in the southern hemisphere. This port is the gateway to a number of landlocked destinations and transhipment ports throughout sub- Saharan Africa,” said Govender. “Add to that the fact that the Durban weather is an important factor in comparison to other ports that are often affected by bad weather and the better infrastructure, it is important to have a facility near the port.” Govender says while traffic congestion remains a challenge with delays of anything from five to 20 hours, the Durban Container Terminal has improved its service levels to the shipping lines as the vessels have a much quicker turn around time. “KZN has a well developed infrastructure and an excellent rail system – there is much opportunity for business.” Cypress Transport, founded in 2000 by Dorothy Jenkin with only a single shipping client, has continued to grow from strength to strength. “We now have a network of branches in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town,” said Govender. “In Durban we also recently moved premises from the Bayhead area to Churchill road in Morningside where we purchased a building. “This was to suit our client base, an important consideration in an era where client retention has become of great importance.”