After disastrous delays in 2019 which saw Eastern Cape citrus farmers lose millions due to fruit spoiling on the quayside, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has prepared the ground to handle this year’s volumes, according to a spokesperson.The Eastern Cape produces around 26% of South Africa’s export citrus, according to the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA).The Eastern Cape is the leading growing region for lemons and limes, accounting for 42% of the total area planted, according to the USDA.An estimated 36 million boxes of citrus are exported through the ports starting from around April and peaking in June/July through to September.Both Ngqura and the port of Port Elizabeth will be used to handle the volumes.According to TPT, planning for the 2020 season started in July 2019.Additional operational staff have been recruited, and there has been extensive training by external consultants. E x ports through the Ngqura terminal (NCT) will be supported by eight waterside and landside gangs. An additional 600 reefer plug in points will be installed by the end of April.Three reach stackers have been procured and the NCT straddle carrier f leet has been refurbished to work the new slots.With the new equipment TPT will be able to accept reefer containers when the wind is too strong for the rubber tyred gantries (RT G s).Backing up NCT is the Port Elizabeth container terminal (PECT), which will have one ship to shore crane and two mobile cranes in place by April 31, according t o T P T.These will be manned by three waterside and landside gangs.PECT can handle the Southern Africa Europe Container Service, Mesa and Amex services, in order to reduce congestion at NCT during peak season.Sour notes for the industry include uncertainty over Brexit, the impact of the coronavirus, global economic conditions and the ongoingdrought in the province.
