Port of East London upbeat

Good news for the Buffalo
City Metro is that the Port
of East London says it is
“entering an exciting new era
of growth”.
This is after a substantial
increase in overall port
volumes in 2015, and
committing almost half a
billion rand to three major
infrastructure development
projects which will revitalise
the entire port precinct.
The economic success of
2015, as well as buoyant shortand
medium-term forecasts,
is due in large measure to the
success of the new Mercedes-
Benz W205 model, and to the
unexpected increase in grain
imports, which are set to
continue throughout 2016.
“The W205 has proven a
huge success story for MBSA,”
port manager Jacqueline
Brown said. “This resulted in
automotive volumes moving
through the Port of East
London being 44% above
target for 2015.”
The ongoing drought
gripping the whole of southern
Africa has also resulted in an
increase in dry bulk volumes,
as consignments of imported
maize moved through the
port.
“We expected to handle
around 80 000 tons of wheat
last year, but moved in excess
of 104 000 tons as at the end
of January 2016.
“The port also benefited
from liquid bulk imports
being 100% above target
due to two operators opting
to temporarily increase
deliveries to areas outside
the traditional hinterland.”
Brown said.
This growth comes at
a time when the Transnet
Port Terminals is investing
heavily in infrastructure
development, and preparing
for the anticipated benefits
of government’s maritime
growth initiative, Project
Phakisa.
Under Operation Phakisa,
the Port of East London
will, in addition to growing
its existing cargo footprint,
reposition itself as a boat
building and boat repair
operation with substantial
infrastructure investment to
better cater for the needs and
demands of the ship repair &
related industries, she says.
CAPTION
Mercedes-Benz W205... driving growth in port volumes.