Priority berthing slots in nicely at Durban

WITH THREE berths now allocated to the programme, the priority berthing scheme at the Port of Durban is well underway. Berths 203, 204 and 205 at the Durban container terminal (DCT) are now all part of the priority window, and the Container Liner Operators Forum (Clof) has no complaints. Chairman Dave Rennie, c.e.o. of Unifeeder, told FTW that he had heard no adverse reports. And, although not speaking from first hand usage, he added: “I can only assume they’re working reasonably.” Meantime, John Hyde of SA Port Operations (Sapo) was equally brief. “When the ships arrive in their slot, they berth,” he said. “When they don’t, they wait.” On the negotiations between the lines and Sapo on service level agreements (SLAs), Rennie has no update on his previous report to FTW. “It’s still news as before,” he said. “Again, I can only assume that the individual lines and Sapo are working things out.”