SA ports must stimulate economic growth - Sapo

TERRY HUTSON
SOUTH AFRICA’S ports have a directive to stimulate the country’s economic growth, says Mervin Chetty, SA Port Operations’ chief strategy executive. Chetty was the guest speaker at a business breakfast in Durban hosted by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) which is on a roadshow around the country to promote the association. “Reducing seafreight costs is a key to improving South Africa’s competitiveness, which can be achieved through saving causative costs such as ship delays and having better multi-modal systems.” With 65% of Durban container cargo destined for Gauteng, Chetty said it was clear that changes leading to more efficient handling and cost savings were a prerequisite. He stressed the importance of efficient interfaces within the delivery chain. As an example, he pointed out that in Singapore trucks were cleared through the terminal gates in an average of 25 seconds. In that time they have cleared customs, checked weight of truck and container, checked the truck driver and cleared security. Such was the level of efficiency in that port.