Port stats highlight disappointing export performance

The full-year volume statistics from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) for the port of Durban make for interesting reading as they throw some light on the country’s economic performance, according to Dave Watts, KZN-based maritime adviser to the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff). “Comparing deep sea import and export volumes year-on-year,” he told FTW, “shows that demand in SA has improved somewhat – whereas the market for our exports has increased only marginally.” Deep sea import full container landings for all Durban terminals was 880 887-TEUs during 2010 – compared with 722 482 in 2009. This was a satisfactory increase of 22% – but less than 5% over the 839 772 handled in the pre-recession year of 2008. Deep sea export TEUs are less satisfactory, he said. During 2010, 635 901-TEUs were shipped, compared with 581 036 in 2009. A 9% increase, but still 5% below the 2008 figure of 669 049. “Another interesting statistic,” Watts added, “seems to indicate that, probably due to demand constraints, the constant increase in the use of 40-foot (12-metre) containers – both import and export – which was experienced during the first years of this decade, running at around 16% per annum, has stabilised over the last three years.” It’s been more of a toothy grin year for car sales people, according to Watts. “New vehicle imports,” he said, “have shown dramatic growth from 151 529 units in 2009 to 240 482 in 2010 – an increase of 58%, and slightly under half of the 492 956 units Naamsa reports were sold in 2010. “Vehicle exports have also increased but at a comparatively static rate of 4% – 112 691 units in 2010 and 108 573 in 2009.” Dry bulk, liquid bulk and break bulk all saw reasonable volume increases during the course of the year. In looking at what was on offer from the port infrastructure and staff, Watts waxed metaphorical. Overall, it could be said that the volumes handled were somewhat similar to the ports’ service levels in 2010. They were, like the curate’s egg, only good in parts,” he told FTW.