Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has welcomed a decision by the world’s fifth largest container line to introduce a new African service. Speaking at a press conference in Cape Town recently, TNPA’s acting COO Velile Dube said it represented much-needed confidence in the country and would drive economic growth. “The arrival of a new weekly service at the ports of Durban and Cape Town could not have come at a better time. The country needs this boost of confidence.” Hapag-Lloyd recently announced it would introduce a new weekly service from the Middle East to India, South Africa and West Africa calling at the ports of Durban and Cape Town locally. In Cape Town the vessel will berth at the multi-purpose terminal. This was also good news, said Dube, serving as impetus for TNPA to invest more in this terminal. “One of the advantages of using the multi-purpose terminal is the fact that it is shielded from the devil called the wind in Cape Town. This means we can guarantee you service at our port while you grow this trade route.” He said not much investment into staff or equipment had gone into the multi- purpose terminal to date, but this was changing. “Four new straddle carriers are on order for the terminal and will be operational by early next year, while two new mobile harbour cranes are also being introduced to the terminal.”
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There is no denying that our ports have had a tough time the past couple of months. – Velile Dube