New reefer forum lays foundation for improved efficiency

Collaboration between reefer shippers and Durban’s Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is bearing fruit thanks to several interventions introduced by TPT to streamline the movement of cargo. Taking the almost year-old working relationship between the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) and TPT one step further was the launch earlier this month of the Durban Reefer Container Operations Forum (DRCOF). “It’s clear that much has been done at the terminals since the first engagements began with TPT at the end of the 2013 season,” said Mitchell Brooke, logistics development manager of CGA. Pier 1, he pointed out, has implemented a dedicated reefer (refrigerated container) lane. It has also brought in a gantry crane and a back-up reach stacker (which is not windsensitive) when high winds are experienced. Additional reefer plug-in points have been installed and the total now stands at 892 points for 40 foot (12 metre) containers (FEUs). There are two reefer trains in operation from Letsitele in the Limpopo province and these are received directly into the reefer stacks at Pier 1. Pier 2 – which serves the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) – has also joined the game. It has also introduced a priority lane for reefer containers, with additional plug-in points installed to now bring the total to 1 744 FEU points. And “amazingly”, Brooke added, the reefer trains have recorded an average turnaround time of around three hours – with almost no issues from Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). “This,” he said, “should hopefully pave the way for more trains to come on line in the near future.” But Brooke also illustrated some major challenges for the passage of citrus exports through the Port of Durban. Particularly he noted the congestion caused by import and export stacks overlapping, causing some major issues throughout the chain. This was especially relevant when export stacks for the SA-Europe Container Service (Saecs) and MSC Europe (MSCEU) services overlapped – because 60% of all export citrus reefers leaving Durban are sent on these ships. “When this happens,” he said, “the three days needed (as per the allocated stack days) to load out the sheer volume of containers is just not adequate for the cold stores and transporters to do it in.” Brooke believes there are five key aspects required to enhance the effectiveness of the reefer container operations in the Durban port. Terminals should allow 48-hours’ notice for firming reefer export stack days – and this must be held firm without changes. This would ensure all planning is executed without disruptions from stack dates shifting. He also stressed that Pier 1 and Pier 2 should co-ordinate to ensure the Saecs and MSCEU reefer export stacks are planned so that they do not overlap. “There is also a need to develop a centralised and integrated system to co-ordinate all the export bookings and operational planning requirements between all the role players in the chain,” he said. Added to that Brooke suggested that shipping lines should collaborate to use a central container depot to store primary or secondary equipment stock-holding. “The depot must then operate 24 hours in the peak season,” he said, “where most depots in Durban do not.” The final key aspect was the introduction of sevenday reefer export stacks at the four Durban container terminals. Just as is the case in Ngqura, PE and Cape Town ports. “Failing which,” Brooke said, “the Durban terminals should introduce a formalised process for ‘early arrivals’, to assist when cold stores are blocked out.” INSERT & CAPTION The reefer trains have recorded an average turnaround time of around three hours — with almost no issues from Transnet Freight Rail. – Mitchell Brooke CAPTION Durban port’s Pier 2 – which serves the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) – has introduced a priority lane for reefer containers, with additional plug-in points installed.