Logistics role players have tackled the challenges experienced in Durban over the past few months head-on by working together to move cargo as quickly as possible.Michelle Horner, trade manager at SACO CFR, told Freight Newsthat the past year had been tough in Durban. The industry was still reeling from the effects of the civil unrest and protest action that broke out in July last year, when massive f loods brought the movement of cargo in and out of KwaZulu-Natal to a near standstill.“The civil unrest experienced in July and the recent f loods have compounded ocean, rail, air and road delays in the Durban area. In the current constraints we are all working together to move cargo as efficiently and quickly as possible,” she said.Horner said schedule integrity and delays had been an ongoing challenge before these events as globally, the logistics industry had faced many operational constraints during the Covid-19 pandemic. High cargo demand, congestion in both the port terminals and the container depots and warehouses, as well as a lack of available vessel capacity on both inbound and outbound services, had proved a challenge for many importers and exporters. Horner said moving into the second half of 2022, the logistics industry would continue to experience stumbling blocks in the supply chain. “Increasing fuel prices, erratic schedules, lack of equipment, capacity constraints and lack of manpower impact the timely supply of goods as well as the costs incurred by importers and exporters globally.”This, however, provided an opportunity for less than container load (LCL) consolidation, she added.“It continues to provide freight forwarders with a reliable and cost-effective solution for the movement of cargo. Seasonal exports from South Africa affect already constrained vessel capacity, and LCL services provide a consistent alternative for export cargo. “Despite erratic schedules, shipping lines continue to maintain a presence in Durban. This means that as the African gateway, Durban can offer direct LCL export services into Africa as well as to the rest of the world. Its proximity to Johannesburg allows for ease of loading out of Johannesburg container freight stations (CFS) with either direct to port containers or consolidations with Durban originating cargo.”Horner said the company’s African LCL services, also controlled through its Durban CFS and the Durban port, continued to f low with cargo from the rest of South Africa being consolidated into the gateway hub.“Inbound shipping line services to Durban allow for increased cargo volumes moving through the region as export volumes are bolstered with transshipment cargo destined for Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.”Horner said despite its current challenges, Durban remained a strategic hub for the SACO CFR Group, adding that the company was confident about its service offering. “We will continue to promote African solutions to our customers and global partners via our Durban facilities.”
