Portnet productivity comes in for a hammering

ONE OF the major concerns dominating the conference was Portnet's container handling inefficiency.
Why all this focus on new infrastructure when proper use is not being made of existing equipment, was a question frequently asked by a number of delegates.
It is totally disgraceful that only 14 to 16 containers can be handled at your terminals, said James Cooper, director of SG Hambros Bank in London and the conference chairman.
It doesn't matter whether or not your machines or your people are up to standard. This matter should be sorted out first.
A minimum of 20 moves should be the aim, agreed Captain Tony Holland, regional manager of P&O Ports Africa.
Dr Piet van Aswegen, executive manager of Safmarine, produced statistics showing that the productivity levels at SA ports had declined since 1995 from an average of 18,9 container moves per hour to 17,59 in 1996 and 16,20 last year.