Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced that it is gradually resuming operations after suspending shipping movements at some ports for safety reasons when severe storms hit the Western Cape coast this week.
TNPA said in a statement late on Thursday that operations at the Port Elizabeth Bulk Terminal and Saldanha, as well as Cape Town Multipurpose Terminal had resumed on Wednesday, however, some ports are still facing difficulty under the adverse weather conditions.
“The Cape Town Container Terminal is still experiencing high swells and remains wind-bound. This has impacted two vessels that are unable to dock. TNPA is assessing the movements of smaller ships, which can be docked during this period,” TNPA said.
The ports authority added that no adverse incidents have been reported at any of its ports in the region.
“TNPA remains committed to ensuring the safety of employees and port infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape terminals are operating intermittently in the interest of employee safety,” TNPA said.
“Western Cape terminals are expected to resume operations on Friday afternoon. KwaZulu-Natal terminals are operating normally,” the ports authority said.
The TNPA notice comes after stormy conditions lashed the region with heavy winds of up to 35 knots and rain that led to severe flooding incidents and road closures across parts of the Western Cape.
