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.”