There have been improvements in overall truck turnaround times among the three transport companies involved in the pilot phase of the new truck appointment system at Durban container terminal (DCT), Pier 2, according to information released to FTW by Transnet Port Terminals (TPT). The new system, which is aimed at improving the scheduling of road transport companies using the terminal, was launched on Monday, June 4. Initial user-related teething problems were resolved in the first two days and all three companies are now using the system competently, added TPT. The number of missed, unused or cancelled time slots has decreased steadily since day one as customers become more familiar with the system. DCT aims to move to the next phase of the roll-out by mid-July and has engaged its internal auditors to ensure the process is fair and managed correctly. Another 20-25 transport companies will be introduced to the system and will undergo training by mid-July. Under the new system, transport companies schedule their container collections or drop-offs via the web-based Navis SPARCS N4 terminal operating system. The system allocates them a one-and-a-half hour time slot within which their drivers may arrive at the terminal.
