Transporters reasonably relaxed about World Cup restrictions

The transport restrictions during the
World Cup at the various host cities
seem to be causing no major concerns
for the road transport industry.
This was the finding of an
investigation by Johan van Wyk
of Sasol and Richard Durrant of
Transheq Consulting on behalf of
the Chemical and Allied Industries’
Association (CAIA) and Business
Unity SA (Busa).
Information provided by the
national and provincial disaster
management departments indicated
that the main host cities seemed well
prepared, the two investigators said.
This was confirmed to FTW by
freight industry specialists in Durban,
Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Kevin Martin, MD of Freightliner
and chairman of the Durban harbour
carriers’ section of the SA Association
of Freight Forwarders (Saaff),
suggested that during match days,
areas of about three kilometres radius
surrounding the stadiums would be
restricted for normal traffic.
“But this,” he added, “will not
impact adversely on road transport
carrying containers from the port onto
the national road system.”
Mike Scott, executive of Cargo
Carriers in Johannesburg and SA
chairman of the Federation of
Southern African Road Transport
Associations (Fesarta), agreed.
“None of the national road system
will be closed or restricted as a result
of any match activity,” he said.
The Port of Cape Town should also
be free of hassles for truckers.
The two investigators also told
FTW that there could be traffic delays
and limited road restrictions in the
areas surrounding the designated
fan parks and public viewing areas
(PVAs) – for approximately three
hours before and three hours after
the games.
“But,” said Catherine Grant,
director of trade policy at Busa, “the
investigators’ report assures traders
that normal import/export activities
at the ports should not be affected by
the World Cup and that business will
continue as usual.”