CT port speeds up operations with Dual Cycle system

As part of its continuous
quest to improve
productivity and efficiency
at Cape Town Container
Terminal, Transnet Port
Terminals has implemented
Dual Cycle operations – the
use of ship-to-shore cranes
to simultaneously load and
discharge cargo from a
vessel.
Its one of a range of
initiatives introduced
recently including the
August handover of 864 new
reefer plug points in reefer
block one, the ongoing
training programme for
crane and RTG operators,
and increasing in July the
number of gross crane
moves per hour (GCH) to
24, two short of the target.
Hector Danisa, TPT’s
assistant terminal executive
for Western Cape Terminals,
explains this internationally
recognised methodology
makes for faster operations
and savings, curtailing
empty trips for both haulers
and cranes and thereby
benefiting vessel turnaround
times at the end of the day.
The fruits of a combined
TPT/Maersk Line pilot
launched in October, the
terminal has thus far worked
three vessels on the Dual
Cycle operation, the Maersk
Dryden achieving 34 GCH
– a 41% improvement on
the terminal’s average
of 24 GCH – and ship
working hour (SWH) rates
of 82 moves. (SWH is a key
performance indicator for
shipping lines to measure
productivity).
Danisa tells FTW the
challenges associated
with Dual Cycle include
identifying suitable vessels
with an even split of exports
and imports and ensuring
they are planned properly
to facilitate this type of
operation.
In addition, resourcing
the terminal appropriately
for quicker productivity
and smarter planning of
the stack could become a
worthwhile pursuit.
Dakalo Mboyi, operations
general manager for Maersk
Line, says while some
glitches are expected in the
initial period, Dual Cycle
can only result in benefits
for all, adding the terminal’s
productivity improvement
along with other initiatives
has been “great”.