TNPA comes up with helpful contingencies

The shutdown of Wharf 13 on Maydon Wharf in the Port of Durban for its upgrade has not led to any explosive reaction from the breakbulk lines which use it. This is contrary to when the berth outage plan was originally announced and too many berths were due for an upgrade at one time. No alternative plans were made, and lines were faced with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) taking a “do as we say” attitude. But that has all changed, according to Peter Besnard, CEO of the SA Association of Ship Operators and Agents (Saasoa). “They have now started to listen to the lines’ problems, and are coming up with helpful contingency plans,” he told FTW. “It was good that everybody was able to put their heads together and come up with workable alternatives.” He also pointed out that the lines had known about the upgrade sequence since 2012, and had been able to prepare themselves for berth outages. “So this wasn’t suddenly forced on us, and everybody also recognised and accepted that the berth just had to be done,” Besnard added. “It was in very poor condition after decades of hard use. But, once it’s completed, it will once again be a good surface to work on.” He also noted that the waterside on the container terminal’s Berths 108 and 109 was due to be finished this week, and the final touches to the landside upgrading by end August. “The ships that were diverted to other terminals in the harbour will move back there, and that will also take the pressure off these alternative berths, including those on Maydon Wharf,” Besnard said.