Keep investing in ports – Deutsche Bank

Port operators and governments have
been urged to continue investing in
container handling infrastructure,
despite the downturn.
Erich Heymann of Deutsche Bank
Research says that, despite the current
economic slowdown, container shipping
will continue to grow. The forecast is seven
to eight per cent a year to 2015.
Deutsche Bank expects the degree
of containerisation to continue to rise,
particularly in Eastern Europe, Latin
America and Asia. Short sea shipping is
also on the rise in Europe.
Heymann points out that “container
ports and terminals have been
one bottleneck for the expansion of
the industry.”
The current downturn will see capacity
utilisation come down to “normal” levels,
with the current crisis affecting shipping
companies more than harbours.
Heymann says there needs to
be investment in both port and
inland container-handling facilities
to prepare for the next upturn in the
world economy.
South Africa is continuing with its
major infrastructural investment in the
country’s ports.
Transnet Port Terminals announced
last year that it would be investing
R10.3-billion in port infrastructure over a
period of five years.
Some expenditure – such as that at the
port of Ngqura – has been delayed, but
the port is still due to open in October
this year.