THE RISE in container handling reflects a worldwide trend and raises the question of how long Durban will be able to handle constantly increasing numbers if the present rate is maintained.
Portnet will soon have to answer the perplexing question of where to build additional container facilities if Durban is to avoid any future cries of a frustrated economy. The time is probably ripe for decisions on building a new container terminal, including perhaps a second facility in Durban rather than adding onto the existing.
Container volume, especially full containers, is the best and most current leading indicator of the South African economy. The interesting factor from the current trend is the way exports have increased by about 10% over imports, while both show similar growth over the previous year.
The last time such an upturn was noticed was in 1994 following the general elections. The crisis in the port of several years ago arose after container handling increased by about 14%, rising above the forecast 7 or 8% anticipated by both Portnet and the shipping lines.
The resultant chaos in the terminal with lengthy ship delays and containers having to be diverted to other ports led to a crash programme to sort out Portnet's woes. If anywhere between 17 and 20% increase for the first five months of this year is maintained throughout 2000, as now seems likely, Durban may be in for some interesting times ahead.
Copyright Now Media (Pty) Ltd
No article may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor
To respond to this article send your email to joyo@nowmedia.co.za
