South African port volumes rise steadily in August

Time:2010-09-29 Browse:39 Author:RISINGSUN

SOUTH AFRICA`s new Ngqura container terminal, due to mark its first anniversary in October, handled a record 46,836 TEU units during August, 72 per cent of which were regional transshipment boxes with 12 per cent imports and 16 per cent exports.

At neighbouring Port Elizabeth Container Terminal, 36,626 TEU were handled in August, up from 32,532 TEU during July, reported the UK`s Handy Shipping Guide. The figures are now approaching the record level achieved in July 2008 at 42,400 TEU. The August container cargo at Port Elizabeth`s container facility comprised 36 per cent imports, 28 per cent exports and 36 per cent transhipments.


Ngqura`s year-to-date figures for the one year old terminal suggest that Transnet`s strategy of positioning the port as a major transhipment hub for Southern Africa, is working well. Year-to-date figures since October 2009 show the cargo mix as 58 per cent transshipment, 22 per cent imports and 20 per cent exports.


Eastern Cape Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) manager Siya Mhlaluka said the peak season for refrigerated cargo had driven volumes together with the increase in market demand for automotive components, which are part of the manufacturing contracts won by local OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).


"We are pleased to have handled these high import and export volumes as TPT is committed to offering services which will enable the growth of its valued customers," said Mr Mhlaluka.


TPT was investing ZAR5.4 billion (US$771, 561) over five years to ensure that the terminal is capable of handling nearly double its existing cargo capacity, of 740 000 TEU by 2012, at which time it would have a cargo capacity of 1.4 million TEU.


All six Liebherr ship-to-shore cranes at Berth 601 have now been commissioned, allowing for high-productivity container handling reported Creamer Media`s Engineering News. Further, 20 rubber tyre gantry (RTG) cranes have now been commissioned and handed over to the terminal, with the remaining eight RTGs to be handed over by the end of October. In addition, 864 of a total 2,712 reefer plug points have been handed over to port operations.