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.”