Durban’s inability to handle bulk grain has seen East London regain its position as a major grain terminal after the purpose-built grain elevator stood idle for a decade.Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) describes the 76 000 ton facility as “the largest grain silo on the South African coastline”.In February 2011 FTW reported that Transnet would be investing R20 million in refurbishing the grain elevator, which was built in the 1960s.A year later it moved the grain to Durban.The grain elevator, which had handled up to 3,4 million tons a year, started working again in June 2022.“The grain elevator at the Port of East London is operational. The imports and exports of maize have started with two vessels handled. “All of this infrastructure will improve logistics in our province,” Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane said in his 2023 state of the province address.East London businesses are benefiting from the revitalisation of the rail links to handle the grain.In his 2022 address, Mabuyane said the Cookhouse – Blaney branch line had been brought back into operation, “reducing the costs of logistics by moving goods from road to rail”.In 2023, Transnet Freight Rail is planning to open the line from Kroonstad to the Port of East London, said Mabuyane. South Africa is producing more grain than it consumes, and the recommissioning of the grain elevator will provided a much-needed export facility for farmers, according to the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association (SACOTA).The organisation says it started negotiations with TPT East London in November 2021.Writing for AgriOrbit, SACOTA’s André van der Vyver, said “eager for new business, the Port of East London jumped at the opportunity. “Exporting maize is not a once-off opportunity, it is likely that South Africa will continue to be in the maize export market every year. “This may create future incentives and opportunities to once again use the port of East London as an export terminal for maize,” he wrote.Freight News understands that the main stumbling block is the shallow draft which is a maximum of 10.7 metres.That means it is restricted to relatively small vessels of 63 000 dwt. According to Transnet, the largest single shipment it has handled is 40 000 tons.The terminal is at the entrance to the port, and Transnet is under pressure from local business and SACOTA to deepen it.
