Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Africa
Imports and Exports
International
Road/Rail Freight
Sea Freight

Still no movement for high cube containers

15 Mar 2023 - by Kevin Mayhew
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

A meeting to explore formalising the use of high cube containers to meet international trends and avoid insurance issues has still not been held between the National Department of Transport (NDoT), Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and the Road Freight Association (RFA).

The RFA told Freight News in October 2022, that the task team had not convened for a year, leaving road freight professionals in a difficult position. The three bodies are on a task team representing stakeholders who are seeking a resolution.

The RFA confirmed to Freight News this week that there had still been no movement, and 17 months had now passed without any progress on dealing with the high cube challenge.

“No meetings were held and no progress is being made on this matter.  As it stands right now, the maximum overall height is 4,3m,” the RFA said in a statement.

The problems began when the NDoT expressed concern about the height of the containers. It believed the 150mm higher centre of gravity might affect load stability. Sixteen months ago the NDoT came up with the idea that high cube containers should be part of the department’s drive to move goods from road to rail. This idea did not consider the first and last mile that would still require transporting the containers on a public road.

TFR was present at the last meeting convened to discuss the issue on 18 October 2021.

One of the major suspicions of the road freight industry – that the stalling was an effort to drive container traffic from road on to rail – has been discounted as Transnet conceded it does not have the capacity to deal with high cube containers on rail and won’t have capacity for the foreseeable future.  At that stage the NDoT was again requested to address the legislative gap that exists, because regulation 224 (b) is in effect until it is either suspended, repealed or changed in a Government Gazette.

This regulation makes it illegal to transport high cube (International Organisation for Standardisation) containers at a laden height exceeding 4 300mm.  At present there is no commitment to place a moratorium on the enforcement of Regulation 224 (b) until such time as a way forward is agreed.

Already 90% of containers used to move freight worldwide are high cube, but in South Africa it is currently an offence to load above 4.3 metres, and that the ‘consignors/consignees’ are contravening regulations. Other risks include possible insurance repudiation in the event of an accident involving the transport of the high cube containers.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Gemini consistently more punctual – Sea-Intelligence

Sea Freight

The platform reports Gemini’s all arrivals (AA) rate for the first quarter of 2025 as 90.3% and 85.7% for trade.

07 May 2025
0 Comments

US holds fire on Red Sea rebels after Oman-brokered talks

Sea Freight

The Houthis reportedly informed the US administration that they “don’t want to fight anymore.

07 May 2025
0 Comments

Feri certificate provider expands services westward

Logistics

Dornay Swartz, projects manager at Africa Union Cargo Namibia, says work in the DRC paved the company’s way in West Africa. 

06 May 2025
0 Comments

Proactive prevention is a win-win

Logistics

Siva Pather, managing director of Land and Sea Risk, says the real challenge extended far beyond the criminal incidents.

06 May 2025
0 Comments

Salvage tug sails to Maersk ship adrift in Atlantic

Sea Freight

The stricken vessel will be adrift for two weeks by the time salvage help arrives.

06 May 2025
0 Comments

Mozambique resumes road toll fees

Africa

The country has reduced rates nationwide with the exception of charges for commercial operators.

06 May 2025
0 Comments

Fuel prices set to drop

Economy

Global economic recession concerns and an oversupply of crude oil are placing pressure on prices.

06 May 2025
0 Comments

Driverless truck developer hits the highway

Road/Rail Freight

Aurora CE Chris Urmson said he travelled in the back seat during the inaugural journey.

06 May 2025
0 Comments

Weak SA economy, not Namibian imports, causes low meat prices

Economy

The challenge is that demand for the product has slowed, with almost 1.2m fewer carcasses sold locally in 2023 than in 2016.

06 May 2025
0 Comments

South Africa’s citrus export season gets under way

Imports and Exports

Growers forecast a rise in demand despite US tariff uncertainty and ongoing EU phytosanitary barriers.

05 May 2025
0 Comments

Thriving agri-sector pushes up tractor imports

Imports and Exports

No duties apply because we can't place import duties on equipment we don't produce. – Wandile Sihlobo.

05 May 2025
0 Comments

Carriers face capacity planning nightmare

Air Freight

The de minimis change is going to disrupt the market, and we’ll see its impact this month. – Xeneta.

05 May 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Sea Freight May 2025

Border Beat

Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
Yesterday
Border police turn the tide on illegal crossings
29 Apr 2025
BMA officials arrested for enabling illegal immigration
24 Apr 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

Inside Sales with Estimates Experience (Also suitable for an Estimator wanting to get into Internal Sales) CPT

Tiger Recruitment
Cape Town
07 May
New

Cost Estimator - Durban North

Lee Botti & Associates
Durban
07 May

Clearing and Forwarding Sales Executives

QI Logistics
ISANDO
06 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us