Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) chief executive Nosipho Sithole wants to transform the terminal operator into one of the “top five logistics service providers in the world” within the next five years.
Speaking at a business stakeholder engagement in Cape Town recently Sithole said TPT had come a long way already, but the work had only just begun.
“There was a time when it took us ten days to give a vessel a berth and there were vessels lining up at outer anchorage. Truck turnaround was averaging around 110 minutes against a target of 45 minutes and ship working hours was 46 against a target of 70. It was extremely dismal,” she said. “We have improved and we now berth vessels within three hours in Durban, while ship working hours of 97 have been seen. When it comes to truck turnaround time we are at 63, and while we are not yet at 45, we have made significant improvements.”
Port users testified to these improvements at the recent Transport Forum held in Durban, she said. According to Sithole an ongoing strategy to address equipment challenges and introduce a preventative maintenance philosophy was paying off at the Port of Durban and these efforts would be replicated at other ports across the country.
To read the full article, and other stories from FTW, click here.
