Surcharge fails to dampen Durban’s preferential status

Re-routing fears come to naught ALAN PEAT THE SIGNALS that followed the introduction of the Durban port congestion surcharge that a number of liner services might avoid the port and re-route to ports without the surcharge appear to have been without foundation. Certain services instituted calls at other ports in preference to Durban when the congestion at the harbour was at its highest, but Durban has since regained favour as SA’s main port of call, and no new threats of by-passing the port have been heard recently. Discussion with shipping line executives suggests that no noticeable number of ships have by-passed the port in recent times, or where liner services have missed out on Durban calls, alternative services have been applied. A tip from two shipping sources that Cape Town might have taken favour amongst Gauteng shippers and importers, and that there might have been big shifts of Gauteng cargo to the Mother City instead of Durban, do not appear to be supported by the records, according to Mike Economou of shipping line MSC in the Cape. Cargo volumes at Cape Town have increased, he told FTW, including Gauteng bound or sourced cargoes. “But not significantly,” he said.