NPA policy denies container ships priority over fishing vessels

‘It’s first come, first served’ RAY SMUTS AS FAR as National Ports Authority is concerned, it’s ‘first come, first served’ on berthing, no matter whether a fishing vessel or container ship. It’s a policy totally endorsed by the port of Cape Town’s harbour master Captain Rufus Lekala. What is more, he asserts, as far as harbour services are concerned, a fishing boat and container ship are equal in the sense that whichever arrives first for berthing receives the first necessary assistance. Not likely to sit easily with container liner operators is Lekala’s observation that, if the container shipping industry desires priority service, they should pay more. As it is, Transnet CEO Maria Ramos has just announced a 5.7% increase in container handling charges, effective April 1. Mike Economou, Cape regional director for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which operates huge container volumes in and out of South Africa, says: “Obviously there are and were certain agreements whereby we would get priority berthing.” Economou disagrees with Lekala’s assertion that there is no difference, priority-wise, between the early arrival of a fishing boat or container ship. “Obviously it makes common sense that whoever arrives first gets the berthing, but if two vessels arrive at the same time, generally speaking, the container ship is berthed first.” It also emerged last week the concession contract for the new ship repair yard at Duncan Dock’s Elliot Basin, was likely to be awarded next month. In an aside, the proposed extension to the container terminal, now projected to cost around R1.35 billion (original estimates varied at between R700 million and R1 billion) and already subject to appeal by ratepayer concerns, has been budgeted for by Sapo but not yet approved by parent body Transnet.