TPT goes the extra mile for reefer shippers

Transnet Port Terminals has put several initiatives in place to ensure service delivery during the peak citrus reefer season in Kwazulu Natal and the Eastern Cape which begins in May and ends in October.



According to GM: commercial and planning, Nombuso Afolayan, TPT has dedicated lanes for trucks carrying reefers through Durban Container Terminals Pier 1 and Pier 2 auto gates to avoid staging delays.



At Pier 1 lane 4 has been designated and at Pier 2 lanes 2 and 3.



“To date a total of R75m has been invested to develop a new multi-tier reefer yard at Pier 2 and increase the number of plug points by 700 at both terminals combined,” he said. “The project is nearing completion and estimated to be fully operational at the end of this month (May).”



TPT’s Eastern Cape Container terminals at Ngqura (NCT) and Port Elizabeth are equipped with 1680 and 792 reefer plug points respectively, he said. “Reach stackers will be deployed at NCT and Pier 1 to ensure reefers are processed when landside operations are wind-bound.”



TPT has created a Durban Reefer Containers Operations Forum which will convene every two weeks to engage with the industry, he added.