Container volumes through South Africa’s ports strengthened during July but renewed vessel queues at the Port of Durban have highlighted how quickly operational gains can come under pressure during periods of high demand.
Speaking during the Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) National Trade Facilitation Meeting, Alternate Director and Consulting Port Engineer Nimi Ramchand said national container throughput increased by 33% month on month and 22% year on year.
Average throughput reached 7 224 TEUs a day during the reporting period although this remained below the target of about 7 800 TEUs.
Conditions at Durban began tightening again as vessel arrivals increased and terminal utilisation remained high, Ramchand said.
“One positive has been the automotive terminal’s ability to manage these demand peaks but high utilisation leaves very little margin for error.”
The terminal had consistently reduced utilisation after periods of peak demand but warned that sustained high occupancy left little capacity to absorb disruptions caused by adverse weather, equipment failures or surges in vessel arrivals, he said.
Rail movements out of Durban also improved during July, helping to accelerate the evacuation of containers from the port and easing pressure on terminal operations, although roadside challenges persisted.
Improvements remain achievable but depend on careful planning across the port, rail and road network, Ramchand said.
SAAFF urged freight stakeholders to prepare for several developments expected to affect operations over the coming weeks, including the Transnet National Ports Authority tariff consultation process, finalisation of the National Rail Master Plan and Transnet Freight Rail’s scheduled Natcor mainline maintenance shutdown from August 25 to September 2.
Cargo owners should plan shipments around the planned rail interruption, SAAF advised.
