December 2017 was a bumper month for Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in the Eastern Cape with volumes for automotive and containers far exceeding forecasts.
According to Siya Mhlaluka, TPT’s GM: Eastern Cape, automotive volumes were almost 100% higher than anticipated - with 10 574 units handled versus the budgeted 5 133. The PE container terminal had handled 43% more than predicted, he added - 13 906 units versus the expected 9 735.
And there are positive signs for the year ahead.
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) is predicting significant growth in vehicle production, exports and domestic new vehicle sales for 2018. Despite depressed trading last month – which, among other economic factors, Naamsa attributed to model run-outs ahead of new model introductions - it reported a 1.8% year-on-year improvement in sales volumes for the first time in four years.