South Africa’s port users have labelled Transnet’s assertion that the country’s ports remain fully operational despite the ongoing strike as “wrong” as containers are simply not moving.
Port users, reacting to a circular issued by Transnet Chief Executive Moshe Motlohi on Thursday that stated that the ports were operational, told Freight News that the reality was that transporters were facing “a mess”.
“On the waterside and the landside at Durban, nothing is moving. Durban Container Terminal Pier 1 is not moving and Pier 2 is closed. It’s a mess. And for Transnet to say that everything is hunky dory is just wrong,” one port user said.
Another Durban port user said: “It’s sad but there are no staff at Pier 2. It’s all systems shut. We are being told to wait and the port is monitoring the situation.
The latest disruption in port operations comes after thousands of Transnet employees downed tools on Thursday over a protracted wage dispute. The United Transport Union (UNTU), which represents 33 000 of Transnet’s 35 000 workers, was the first union whose members downed tools, while the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) is scheduled to join the strike on 10 October after the employer lost a court bid to interdict the strike.
Employees classified as “essential services” are excluded from the strike. This includes marine services that ensure the safe flow of vessel traffic in port approaches and a safe stay at berth when moored or at anchor, such as vessel controllers, pilots and tug operators.
Transnet declared a force majeure on Thursday after workers downed tools.
Transnet Port Terminals’ (TPT) latest circular to port users on Thursday noted that the “situation regarding the industrial action remains unchanged”.
“We have urged employees to act responsibly and give parties an opportunity to pursue a settlement. It is still not clear at this stage how long the industrial action will last, however we will continue to engage in the dedicated daily recovery forums and meetings until all operations and entire supply chains have normalised,” TPT said.
According to the circular, Durban’s Pier 2 currently has four vessels on berth and one outside, and seven expected to arrive in the next week, but there are no staff servicing it, while Pier 2 has one vessel on berth and four gangs servicing it. The Cape Town Container Terminal has no staff on duty, two vessels on berth and five vessels outside. Ngqura Container Terminal has no staff on duty, one vessel on berth and two waiting outside, and a further ten expected to arrive in the next ten days.
“The container terminals are activating business continuity plans to ensure operations are minimally impacted by the strike action.”
A circular that port users are sharing among themselves provides a further snapshot of the current situation based on data gleaned from the country’s ports as follows:
Cape Town
• TNPA – manned vessels will be serviced.
• CTCT – container deliveries to CTCT are suspended for the time being.
• CTCT vessels on berth = 2 - MSC Marianna, ALS Flora. No gangs working ships.
• CTCT vessels at anchor = 4 - Ever Dainty, Santa Teresa, Kota Lekas, Maersk Amazon.
• CTMPT – container deliveries to CTCT suspended for the time being.
• CTMPT vessels on berth - 1 vessel, the Maersk Vilnius. No gangs working ships.
• CTMPT vessels at anchor - 1 vessel, the MSC Melemi III.
• Advised Marine drive entrance to port reopened. Reports of picketing in areas.
Eastern Cape region
• TNPA – manned vessels can be serviced
• NCT – limited staff present on waterside and landside activities. Truck gates closed.
• NCT vessels on berth - 1 – MSC Yuvika. 1 gang working.
• NCT vessels at anchor - 3 - Santa Clara, MSC Euginia, MSC Krittika.
• PECT – only operating limited staff on landside expect slow movement.
• PECT vessels on berth - 1 - CMA CGM San Antonio. 1 gang working.
• PECT vessels at anchor - nil
Durban
• TNPA – manned vessels will be serviced.
• Pier 1 – limited staff on landside and waterside expect slow movement. Limited truck booking slots available.
• Pier 1 vessels on berth - 1 - Bear Mountain Bridge. 4 gangs.
• Pier 1 vessels at anchor - 1 – NYK Paula.
• Pier 2 – limited staff on landside and waterside expect slow movement. Limited truck booking slots available.
• Pier 2 vessels on berth - 3 - CCNI Arauco, MSC Adelaide, Seaspan Kyoto. No gangs on morning shift.
• Pier 2 vessels at anchor - 2 - MSC Everest, Ever Diadem.
• Durban MPT – limited staff expect slow movement waterside and landside.
• Durban MPT vessels on berth - 1 – Polonia. 1 gang.
• Durban MPT vessels at anchor - 1 - MSC Mila 3.
Rail Durban – JHB
• Train movement between Durban and Reef fully operational, albeit general obstructions.
“Due to limited operational functioning across container terminals, container delivery will be affected. Vessel operations are also affected, therefore expect delays in departure and berthing of container vessels at the respective terminals,” the circular said.
“Shippers requested to monitor export stack dates to assess container packing and delivery to terminals. Please also consider routing containers to ports where they can be exported during this time.”
