New forum unites port users

Alan Peat
A NEW body has been formed uniting shipping lines, terminal operators and cargo owners into one voice.
The National Port Users Forum has an initial membership of: Asabosa (Association of Ships Agents and Brokers of SA); ASL (Association of Shipping Lines); Container Liner Operators Forum; Breakbulk Liner Operators Forum; SA Shippers" Council; Maydon Wharf Leaseholders Association; Fapa (Ferro-Alloy Producers Association); RBCT/Coal Exporters; Island View Leaseholders; and Portnet Operations Division (POD).
It is chaired by Mahomed Seedat, southern African vice-president and chief operating officer (aluminium) for BHP Billiton in Richards Bay.
Discussing the reasons for its establishment, Laurie Smith, director of non-liner at John T Rennie in Durban, told FTW that it was a forum for the exchange of ideas with the Department of Public Enterprises, the government body behind the restructuring and eventual privatisation of various business units within Portnet.
"The forum is the port users' interface with the department," Smith said, "seeking clarity on the migration plan."
It is not a lobbying group, Smith stressed, emphasising that the individual member bodies already fulfilled this function.
Rather, it"s a private/public sector two-way communication link, he explained, dealing with matters of policy, rather than the day-to-day items. These again remain in the hands of the various individual users" groups.