WITH THE pre-Christmas trade boom under way, SA Port Operations (Sapo) has called on importers for longer opening hours to help cope with the rush. According to information released to FTW by Safcor Panalpina, Sapo has reported that the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) is currently handling record container volumes, with high levels of cargo flows expected to be sustained over the next few months. It also pointed to the forced suspension of operations in the terminal by high winds during recent weeks clearly illustrating just how quickly the port can become severely congested. One of the problems, according to Sapo, is that while the port operates around the clock, most importers do not. This places tremendous pressure on the port, particularly during the peak season – and port management has appealed for importers who are able to accept deliveries at night and over weekends to do so.
