RORO terminal gets container-ready

A new scheme designed to help handle the 400 000 TEUs a year diverted during a 74-month berth rehabilitation at the busy Durban Container Terminal: Pier 2 (DCT) got under way on April 1. To run the scheme, port operator Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is using the Navis SPARCS N4 terminal operating system at the Durban RORO and Maydon Wharf terminals – which TPT expects to handle the 400 000- TEU overflow. Said Zeph Ndlovu, terminal executive: “Our terminals handle mainly bulk, agri-bulk and roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) cargo. However TPT has put considerable effort into ensuring they can deal with the increased container demand while berths at DCT, our largest and busiest container terminal, are out of service.” TPT has implemented a six-point plan to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. A total of 77 new operations staff have been recruited externally to handle increased container cargo at the terminals, while 33 planning officials have been recruited internally. Other appointments include drivers, operators of lifting equipment and cargo coordinators. The paperless, web-based Navis system is already in use at all TPT’s container terminals offering real-time tracking of containers – and went live at the RORO terminal on April 1. It’s due to be followed at the Maydon Wharf section from August 1. TPT claims to be the first in the world to use the system from a central server across multiple sites. Navis offers improved planning, reduced turnaround times and reduced operating costs by coordinating equipment, vessel stow plans, crane schedules and container moves, according to Ndlovu. TPT is spending R438.3 million to beef up containerhandling capacity at the terminal, where containers are currently handled using vessel-mounted cranes and yard trucks such as reach stackers. Mobile harbour cranes, reach stackers and hauler/trailer combinations have been ordered. The Durban RORO terminal has two berths in Durban’s Point area, equipped with sufficient draft and quay wall strength to load and offload containers. Work has commenced at an additional berth identified at the Maydon Wharf facility across the port to prepare it for container handling. This includes strengthening the quay wall and deepening its draft. In the customer and stakeholder engagement programme, TPT has held briefing sessions and various other communication activities with customers, the municipality, business and industry associations, as well as labour to bring them up to speed on the plan. To beef up its planning resources and to encourage a seamless transition and continued collaboration between the two terminals, Ndlovu added, a 24-hour command centre was launched at the RORO terminal on March 30. Customers can reach the command centre on 031 361-8458. Nosipho Damasane, TPT’s chief operating officer (COO) for the bulk, breakbulk and agri-roro sector, said: “We have left no stone unturned in ensuring we do not inconvenience customers as we create additional capacity to meet market demand. With any change there will be teething problems and challenges, but we are committed to working with all stakeholders during this process to ensure these are minimised.”