As it continues to battle equipment reliability shortfalls, Transnet has announced a welcome concession for importers.
Effective yesterday (August 1), the logistics company has increased free import storage days until October 31 this year.
The terminal is making every effort to improve on the current status of equipment availability and reliability so that the optimal availability of truck booking slots and improved truck turnaround times are being realised, a spokesperson says. But it’s clearly not enough.
A decision has therefore been taken to increase the number of free import days at DCT Pier 2.
The following changes will apply:
- For vessels with a discharge volume less than 1000 units, a 3.25 free days rule.
- For vessels with a discharge volume between 1000 and 2000 units, a 4.25 free import storage rule.
- For vessels with a discharge volume with more than 2000 units, a 5.25 free imports storage days rule.
This interim dispensation excludes reefers and IMDGs, which remain unchanged as published in the TPT tariff book and latest reefer season guidelines. During the reefer season, import reefers remain on a two-day free import storage rule.
Transnet points out that export stack dates will remain unchanged.
“The terminal will continue to engage with shipping lines on a case-by-case basis for vessels that are impacted.
“As previously communicated, appointment slot reviews do not necessarily mean that slots will be increased.
“If the secured slots will no longer be utilised by the trucking company concerned, a cancellation must be done 30 minutes before the slot start time, eg, if the slot start time is 12 noon, the slot must be cancelled latest by 11am. The terminal will impose a deterrent (form of penalty) on transporter companies who waste slots.”
No further extensions will be granted for containers that remain unassigned and with road stops in place.
