Vehicle market downturn fails to dent Durban Car Terminal volume outlook

Although the motor vehicle market is suffering a downturn, the SA port system is not noting any major change in the import/ export of cars. This is in contrast to European ports which, according to International Freighting Weekly (IFW), are reporting plummeting car volumes of up to 20% as the economic slowdown puts the brakes on consumer spending across the continent. But Beverley Masson, business unit executive at Durban car terminal (Africa’s largest), told FTW the expected throughput for the terminal for the 2008-2009 financial year was 395 456 units – up on the 388 894 units in 2007/08. “The estimated throughput for 2009-2010 is still very subjective and will change during discussions with industry in October/ November,” she added, “when we will receive updated volumes for the 2009-2010 period. “The estimated volume is 420 000 units. However, I need to reiterate that this is based on the average percentage increase in volumes and not confirmed.” Busy expanding into what was formerly the port’s multipurpose terminal, the car terminal has plans to be able to meet an expected movement of 703 956 vehicle units a year by 2020 – 481 395 units imported and 222 561 exported. “We are well on track with our capacity utilisation programme,” said Graham Braby, Transnet chief of operations for the automotive and bulk sectors. Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has committed about R460-million to the latest expansion plans for the rail and terminal facility, and it is due for completion in the first half of next year.