'Seafreight volumes will rise'

Despite global economic challenges, South Africa believes seaborne trade will increase dramatically over the next few years. According to Nico Walters, general manager strategy for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), South Africa’s ports saw growth in container volumes of 22.5% between 2006 and 2012. “Africa recorded the second biggest growth in container volumes in the world,” he told FTW recently. “We expect this growth trend to continue and expect to increase tonnage handled at our ports from the current 280m tons per year to at least 400m tons of cargo over the next seven years.”