RAY SMUTS EXPANDED TONNAGE to Europe and strong growth in reefer business, mainly from the Western Cape, augured well for Mediterranean Shipping Company in 2006, a trend expected to continue this year, says Cape regional director, Mike Economou. “I would say our main function in 2007 is obviously to maintain schedule integrity, turn ships around in co-operation with Sapo, and increase our liftings.” Economou prefers not to discuss volumes and revenues for media consumption. “Having done so well with reefers, particularly out of Cape Town, that mode has become a really good option for the fruit exporter, given transit times and the speed of our new vessels.” At times an outspoken critic of poor productivity at Cape Town’s container terminal, Economou holds a somewhat different view these days, attributing improved productivity to a switched-on operations team, the labour force and the unions. What is more, he does not think praise for Sapo’s endeavours is limited to MSC alone but in all likelihood is shared by most shipping companies operating out of Cape Town. He does not agree entirely, though, with terminal manager Oscar Borchards' assertion that his March target of 22-23 moves per crane per hour has been achieved. “I would say it has been achieved on various vessels but night shift still seems to be problematic in that productivity drops. I would say we are doing roughly 18-20 moves per crane per hour which is fair, given the terminal structure and old gantry cranes.” Four date back to the mid-1970s. Economou says vessel bunching, particularly at the onset of weekends, will always be problematic, but the real culprit is the wind. It has caused some serious delays this year, though by no means as severe as 2006. “If you have a six-hour wind stoppage, you are out of your slot.” His understanding is that the new Liebherr gantries, the first two of six due for delivery next year, will bring about an improvement as they are able to work in wind speeds of up to 100km/h whereas the present Demag and Noel cranes have to stop when the wind reaches 80km/h. “What is important is that if the wind stops, productivity should remain,” says Economou. To his mind, extending the terminal 300 metres out to sea would be “first prize”, as port manager Sanjay Govan also puts, it but the jury is still out on that one, environmental concerns at the heart of the proposed R5 billion Transnet project. The National Ports Authority’s Plan B, should the proposal to extend the terminal quayside receive the thumbs down from government, is reconfiguring a large stretch of land. Economou believes this could ultimately become an adjunct as a second stacking area “Once you have the 300 metres under your belt and you need another option, you have one.”
