TPT about-turn on soccer work stoppage

The impact of customer complaints, supported by the power of the press, was evident last week when Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) heeded the freight industry’s negative reaction to planned terminal shut-downs during the World Cup. This followed a story which was included in last week’s FTW, “Believe it or not – terminals shut for Bafana Bafana game”, referring to a letter from TPT dated March 29, received by the SA Association of Ship Operators and Agents (Saasoa) on April 12, and immediately forwarded to all its members. A copy reached FTW on June 7, stating that to demonstrate our national pride TV facilities would be placed at “key locations” in all the terminals and office blocks for all staff to watch the Bafana Bafana first round games and the final. “Operations within all terminals will stop from 30 minutes before the game to 30 minutes after the game,” the letter stated. Immediately following the June 8 appearance of the story on Cargo Info News, another TPT letter from Nosipho Damasane, chief operating officer, was forwarded to FTW later on that same day. It acknowledged the March 29 letter, but said: “On June 1 TPT issued a directive urgently revoking this arrangement in light of the industrial action and its after effects.” None of TPT’s customers reported seeing a copy. But, also on June 8, a message was sent by Damasane to Saasoa, the Durban Harbour Carriers’ Association (DHCA) and “TPT terminal executives”. Which all goes to show that, if you want your complaints to be heard, send a copy to FTW.