TPT spells out details of pre-advice rules for export containers

Sent to FTW hot off the press, this Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) communiqué is vital reading for all in the freight industry, according to Dave Watts, maritime adviser for the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff). From October 1, preadvice of export containers at DCT Pier 1 and 2 will be implemented and phased in over a four-month period. “As the pre-advice process goes forward,” Watts told FTW, “it will be critical that clearing and forwarding agents’ export staff, exporters, pack houses, warehouses and truckers are aware of the requirement. Also that they understand the process required by the individual shipping lines – which will ultimately be responsible for pre-advising.” In his communication to port users, Velile Dube, acting COO of TPT container sector, explains: “TPT has introduced automated gates at DCT Pier 1, Pier 2 and Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) to ensure that these facilities contribute positively to optimal road/ terminal interface and reduced vehicle processing times. “In order for automated gates to justify the considerable investments and contribute optimally to the container supply chain fluidity, it is TPT’s intention to make the pre-advice (ie, booking reference, container number, weight and seal number) of export containers prior to the road truck arriving at the container terminal gates mandatory, as is the current practice at NCT. “In order to ensure that the transition from the current business and operational processes to the pre-advised end state is effected in a practical and responsible manner, the current process will remain unchanged during the period 1 October to 31 January 2012,” said Dube. “Capturing of the information required for pre-advice will be conducted by TPT during this interim period only and will require a CTO.” TPT will engage with shipping lines during the phase-in period and exporters or their agents have been advised to contact the lines or their agents for details of their pre-advice procedure requirements. Pre-advice for export containers will become mandatory on February 1, 2012 at DCT Pier 1 and 2 and containers that are not pre-advised will not be accepted into the container terminal from that date. “With the exception of 00G and IMDG containers, the CTO will no longer be required for export containers.”