'Port's intransigence hampers regional trade'

04 Jun 2014 - by Adele Mackenzie

Global logistics and
multi-modal transport
group, Ziegler, has seen
“extremely successful”
growth in its projects division over
the past few years and is optimistic
about growth in this sector going
forward.
“Although we
are fortunate
to be part of a
larger global
organisation,
local
management
is able to make
snap decisions
without awaiting
approval from
parties who may
not understand
current local operating constraints
or opportunities. So we can be
as innovative as we need to be
depending on a client’s needs or
circumstances – which bodes
well for project work,” said Paul
Lawrence, chief operations officer
for Ziegler South Africa.
Projects and Durban-based
manager for Ziegler, Cindy Luyt,
said that regardless of delays
Durban still remained the port
of choice for cargo destined for
Johannesburg and beyond South
Africa’s borders – both from a
cost and time
perspective.
“It remains
one of Africa’s
busiest ports
and is extremely
important as
the gateway in
and out of South
Africa, providing
several trade
opportunities
that Ziegler
hopes to take advantage of,” she
said.
Luyt however concedes
that challenges remain. “Port
constraints, as well as the absence

of a “real willingness” on the part
the port authorities to be flexible
and innovative, do hamper trade
facilitation to the region. “Our
port authorities need to keep the
customer foremost in their minds
and ensure good service delivery
at competitive pricing or South
Africa will lose business to its
neighbours,” she said.
Lawrence added that traffic
congestion and subsequent
backlog of trucks entering and
exiting the port of Durban,
exacerbated by current port
upgrades, as well as the berthing
problems at the port, continued to
be a source of annoyance. “When,
and if, the new dig-out port
happens, this will bring its share
of challenges and opportunities as
well,” said Lawrence.