South-easter batters Cape Town terminal schedule

A howling south-easter thwarted business for almost ten hours at Cape Town Container Terminal last week, the knock-on effect, as usual, telling. The wind unleashed its vehemence for 9.45 hours on January 12/13 and even though a number of vessels arrived later than scheduled, delays nevertheless mounted. One of the terminal’s four main berths is still out due to upgrading. Maersk Dryden arrived two hours late on January 11 and berthed January 16, for a total delay of 105 hours. Maersk Derice arrived 12 hours late on January 15, anticipated berthing January 19, for an overall delay of 112 hours. Delays to Nicolai Maersk (arrived 2.1 hours late) were of the order of 72.9 hours, and MSC Marina, a January 14 arrival, some 53 hours late. MOL Cullin arrived 5.3 hours late, delayed 53 hours in total, according to fresh terminal data. Moshe Motlohi, the Mother City terminal’s new executive succeeding Oscar Borchards, was to have assumed duties on January 1 but for now the man at the helm is procurement manager, Neville February. FTW caught up with the affable Motlohi at week’s end when he confirmed a welcome current break before taking on the demanding new Cape Town position on February 1. * Motlohi was until recently business unit executive at Durban Container Terminal.