Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) continues to see a steady improvement in operations supporting the mining industry, following the floods and recent industrial action that adversely impacted operations.
TPT said in a statement that in some instances, operational improvement was starting to reach, and in even exceed, the pre-Covid numbers of the 2018 financial year, the best-performing year for the sector.
The entity has handled 257% more coal and 20% more manganese this financial year compared to the 2017/18 financial year. On a year-on-year basis, coal handling grew by 160% and manganese by 4% compared to last year. TPT added that efficiencies in the handling rates for all bulk sector commodity segments, namely iron ore, manganese, chrome, magnetite and coal, had improved over the past year.
According to TPT general manager of commercial and planning, Michelle van Buren Schele, the TPT business has identified its key bulk commodity segments, which include manganese, iron ore, magnetite, chrome, and coal.
“This is where we are focused on increasing volumes and efficiencies, with the intention to make our customers competitive,” Van Buren Scele said.
She added that global demand required maximum use of existing capacity, which was a much–needed opportunity for the country’s struggling regional economy.
TPT acknowledged that there was still room for improvement, and management was collaborating with its customers and other stakeholders to improve its service offering to meet their needs.
