SA terminal management learns from Asian example

A CLOSE scrutiny of two labour intensive Asian container terminals has reinforced Oscar Borchards' belief that Cape Town Container Terminal can rise to the occasion, in line with customer expectations. The business unit executive at the Mother City terminal, who recently returned from visiting Laem Chabang Container Terminal in Bangkok and Hong Kong International Terminal, told FTW that they were very labour intensive operation. In terms of Cape Town, he said higher discipline was required from all terminal stakeholders, further planning was necessary with regard to future space requirements, and technology needed to be utilised to handle future container collection bookings. “Laem Chabang is on 33 moves per crane per hour and Hong Kong on 35 moves, whereas we are presently on 23 moves.” As to when he anticipates Cape Town achieving 33 moves per crane per hour, Borchards is confident. “That will definitely be in 2009. Those levels can be achieved here.” The five-member Transnet team was headed by Solly Letsoalo, chief operating officer of Transnet Port Terminals.