NPA study will benchmark efficiency against global norms

DELIVERY IS the top priority on the agenda of recently appointed GM landlord services at the National Ports Authority, Thulani Ngcobo, and that relates to the capital works programme as well as service and productivity. “We have a 5-year and a 20-year programme, says Ngcobo. “The 5-year programme – which will involve an investment of R16bn - will deliver infrastructure at all the ports in South Africa. “We are trying to push the Durban car terminal expansion and the deepening of the harbour entrance, and once funding from Transnet has been approved, the project could be complete in 18-24 months,” he told FTW. Cape Town terminal expansion is already underway while the construction of a new berth at Richards Bay should be completed in 12 months time. But terminal operational efficiency does not depend purely on infrastructure expansion. Improving efficiencies at the terminal is a key issue. “We are talking to terminal operators like SA Port Operations and Bidvest, and have just awarded a contract to a company to undertake a study on terminal efficiencies. “We want the study to benchmark SA ports against other ports all over the world so that we can match those ports.” It's vital, says Ngcobo, to look at the entire logistics chain. Rail, road and port activities need to be co-ordinated to achieve overall efficiency. “We have formalised regular meetings with Spoornet, Sapo and other players to streamline productivity. "Clearly better communication translates into better levels of efficiency, and we believe that recent improvements in productivity are evidence of our success in this regard.”