Truckers object to new TPT ruling

A demand from Transnet
Port Terminals (TPT)
could be forcing Durban
container truckers to drive
illegally, according to the
Durban Harbour Carriers’
Association (DHCA).
According to a
communique sent out by
TPT: “With effect from
September 10, Pier 1 will
only accept containers
where the doors are facing
aft. This will improve
truck turnaround time
and assist with the flow
of Mafis (diesel haulers)
when loading the vessels.”
The reason for this,
according to TPT, is that
the terminal is currently
performing this function,
and it has been identified
as negatively affecting
truck turnaround time.
“Trucks that do not
comply will be asked
to return to the depot to
correct the position of the
container. The terminal
will not be held liable for
extending stacks and units
that are short-shipped as
a result.”
But none of that meets
with approval from the
truckers.
In a blistering reply to
TPT, DHCA chairman,
Kevin Martin, expressed
extreme disappointment.
“This matter has been
discussed in the past, and,
even with the passing of
time, the circumstances
for why containers are
delivered with doors
facing the front have not
changed.”
The reason is that, to
ensure that only legal
loads are run on SA roads
– with the mass spread
legally over all axle
groups – certain heavy
containers have to be
transported by road with
the doors facing the front.
Container security, Martin
added, is only a secondary
issue.
The DHCA also
stressed that this
requirement was an
inconvenience for clients,
depots, loading points and
transporters.
“If the road vehicle is
as little as one millimetre
outside your gates – it
is on a public road – so
repositioning at a depot is
a non-issue,” said Martin.
“It is, in effect, illegal.”
The DHCA has
demanded that this notice
be withdrawn until they
have had a chance to
discuss it more fully.