CAPE TOWN harbour could reach capacity within the next two years and will need to be expanded if it is to meet the growth in traffic, acting Cape Town port manager Johan Carse told FTW last week.
Cargo volumes had increased 2,5% over the past financial year to reach a total of 185 814 tons.
Recent upgrades had expanded the terminal container handling capacity to 420 000, with current levels of container volumes standing at around 300 000 per annum. Carse said the growth in volumes meant that capacity could be reached by 1998.
It is therefore planned to further increase stacking capacity in the terminal, he said. This included the acquisition of two Post Panamax cranes, five straddle carriers, 15 internal hauliers and six bath tub type trailers.
The Combi terminal will be developed and the tanker basin upgraded. Carse said that if the current rate of traffic lost its pace the existing facilities would be adequate until the turn of the century.
Carse said increased imports of agricultural animal feeds were the driving force behind the increased volumes. A large growth of cargo exports destined for Africa had also contributed to higher turnover. He said cargo that had traditionally been sourced from Europe was now being sought in SA.
Carse said it was unlikely that the kind of congestion that troubled SA ports last year would surface again. The container forum that had been set up to deal with issues related to overcrowding was still in operation.
This creates a good medium for communication at times when it is most needed, he said.
