Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 has reduced the number of vessels waiting at anchor after boosting operational teams on duty.
DCT said in a statement on Friday that the terminal had maintained single-digit numbers of vessels at anchor, having increased operational teams to 11 per shift on the waterside, reducing congestion in the terminal.
“The combination of employee allocations and evacuation of import containers, averaging 35 wagons daily, via rail to back-of-port facilities, has also enabled fluidity on the landside handling,” DCT said.
At the height of the vessel backlog in November, DCT Pier 2 had 43 491 import containers waiting at anchor, which has now been reduced to1 738.
Durban Terminals managing executive Earle Peters said management was holding ongoing positive engagements with shipping lines and transporters.
"We have benefited greatly from continuously engaging with our customers and partners and heeding their feedback. The transparency is creating a win-win solution,” he said.
The proximity of DCT Pier 1 and the Durban Multipurpose Terminal also form part of the contingency plan as smaller consignments are diverted to these terminals to reduce the number of vessels at anchor.
“The advantages of a complementary port terminal system make flexibility possible in events where we encounter challenges like the ones we had last year. Now, the terminal planning team is hard at work finalising citrus season plans ahead of April. The terminal has already commenced with preparations,” Peters said.
