I refer to the article “Spoornet to double capacity on Jo’burg – Durban route” (FTW November 18, 2005). Here are some facts. Container No CLHU2193106 Docked 02h00 Wednesday 16 Nov 2005 on NYK Floresta. Voyage 003W Railed to Johannesburg. Arrived 16h00 Thursday 17 Nov 2005. Container still on the train 16h00 Friday 18 Nov 2005. Our request for Saturday delivery was declined as it was unlikely the container would be available for delivery. Informed earliest possible delivery Monday 21 November. No guarantees. We had two containers on the same vessel. One came by road. The contents of the container that came by road were unpacked and in our warehouse before lunch on Thursday 17 November 2005. Hopefully we will see the railed container on Monday (November 21). Spoornet, we would love to use you, but I am afraid that you will have to up your game before we can even consider it! You were afforded an opportunity to prove yourself due to an error of the shipping line, but unfortunately you blew it. Peter Binge.
