New STS cranes set to boost CT productivity

Import volumes at the Port
of Cape Town have remained
subdued – with exports
performing somewhat
better.
“Although volumes
are down, that is not out
of line with the world
economy and what we are
seeing at other ports in
the world,” said a Transnet
National Ports Authority
representative. “Breakbulk
volumes are doing relatively
well although liquid bulk
volumes are slightly down.
At the same time we have
seen a drop in the number
of container vessels calling
at the port, but that is due to
lines consolidating.”
According to Transnet
Port Terminals (TPT), the
port is very fluid at present
with the container terminal
handling the highest
number of TEUs in the past
month compared to the past
few years.
“We are also in the process
of completing the erection of
the two new ship-to-shore
cranes that are planned
to be operational from
the first week in October,”
said the spokesman. “The
bad weather is however
hampering the process
because while we can
continue to work in the rain,
the heavy winds do pose a
problem.”
The TPT spokesman said
plans were in place to fit
the booms on the two new
cranes within the next few
days should the weather
hold. “We are on schedule at
this stage to slip them onto
the quay wall in the last
week of September and to be
up and running in the first
week of October.”
The addition of two
ship-to-shore cranes at the
port is expected to have
a significant impact on
productivity, improving its
operational efficiency.