SA port stats reflect slim increase

South Africa is keeping pace with, if not exceeding, the trade trends in most of the countries around the world, according to the latest seafreight stats released by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) – reflecting a slim increase in traffic at SA’s seven major commercial ports in 2012 compared to 2011. Looking purely at full, deepsea containers – and excluding coastwise, empty and transhipment boxes – the total of imports and exports combined was 2 369 412 TEUs in 2012, an increase of 2.9% over the 2 300 606 of 2011, according to the figures extracted from national port stats. Exports increased by an even slimmer 2% – growing from 944 227 in 2011 to 964 120 last year. And, although 2% is not an earth-shattering growth, our exports still fare better than the likes of Europe – where growth of 1.5% or less is recorded for most of the European Union (EU), according to recent trade press reports. But imports increased by a more noticeable 3.6% – from 1 356 379 to 1 405 292. This growth percentage is well to the high end of estimated growth trends in the world’s main western trading nations, but less than reported estimates for sea cargo in certain countries of the Far East (especially China) and the Middle East. But it is encouraging that SA is not slipping behind, and that our general economic state is still strong enough to require growth in both industrial and consumer goods imports. There is also some good news in the figures for this country’s bulk cargo traffic. The total for deepsea imports and exports combined grew by 3.44%. National breakbulk traffic stats were however not so hearty – with exports showing a 0.83% downward turn, while imports showed growth, but only marginal – easing up 0.66%.