Socikwa outlines plan to improve port efficiency

Average turnaround time at the Port of Durban was reduced by six hours in the 2014/2015 financial year, dropping to 52 hours compared to the 58 hours recorded for the previous financial year. “For the previous financial year, we had just taken delivery of the new ship-to shore (STS) cranes and were providing training around the operation of them. At full optimisation we have seen a marked improvement in efficiency at the port,” said Karl Socikwa, CEO of Transnet Port Terminals. While Socikwa conceded that “much still needed to be done” to improve efficiency and reduce congestion at all of South Africa’s ports, he said TPT was “continuously working” on this. According to him, TPT has identified three key areas on which it is focusing this year to improve operational efficiency. “We are working with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to achieve proper draught and depth at the respective ports,” said Socikwa. He said TPT had also been engaging with the shipping lines to ensure they stowed their vessels in an optimal way. “Through optimal stowage, we can employ three to five cranes at a time and considerably boost turnaround time.” Thirdly, said Socikwa, deploying the maximum number of cranes in operation, including the straddle carriers, has helped the yard hauliers to improve their efficiency. “We expect significantly improved levels of efficiency at the ports for the next financial year,” he said. Turnaround time at the Port of Ngqura improved by 10 hours (down to 34 hours from 44), Cape Town improved by two hours (down to 27 hours from 29), while Port Elizabeth remained constant with an average turnaround time of 26 hours. Richards Bay saw an increase in its average turnaround time, jumping to 50 hours (from 44) and East London’s turnaround time increased by seven hours (from 71 hours). Train turnaround time at ports improved by a few hours at each port as well, with the exception of the Port of Saldhana which increased by two hours due to “equipment challenges” and a shortage of staff, which is “being addressed”, according to Socikwa. CAPTION The STS cranes at the Port of Durban have contributed to improved operational efficiency. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl