LATEST STATISTICS issued by Portnet in Durban indicate a total of 67 479 teus (twenty foot equivalent units) handled during June, a slight increase over the previous month.
The balance between imports and exports just about averages out, with 28 283 teus being imported and 28 428 exported for the month. Coastwise movement came to 1257 inward bound and 1987 outward. Transhipments totalled 7524.
During May a total of 27 223 teus were imported and 28 680 exported, with 11 040 being either coastwise or transhipped giving a total of 66 943 teus for the month.
Year to date figures for containers handled in Durban amount to 401 064 teus. This is only a few per cent up on last year and nowhere near the 6-8% forecast. However, this may change as the port enters the normally busy months between July and November.
Breakbulk traffic is reported to be up 13% on last year, however bulk traffic is down a whopping 21%. Portnet says this is because of smaller chemical exports along with fluctuations in the import and export of grains and animal feeds. Good rains locally during the past season should lead to less bulk imports, they say, although higher than normal exports may arise. According to our spokesman it is still too early to tell.
Exports of sized coals from Durban have been at high levels and according to Bob Searle of Rennies' Bluff Mechanical Appliances (BMA) which handles all coal shipments in the harbour. The BMA has also been handling large volumes of imported coke for Iscor and other clients, especially from mainland China.
Delays at Durban are not considered abnormal, according to Portnet. Repairs and installation of the new gantry cranes at the terminal have been completed and ships are operating normally.
BY TERRY HUTSON
