A daily average of 8 532 containers were handled, and 9 737 containers are anticipated for the next week. 2 932 containers worth of rail cargo were handled out of Durban last week, which is a 37% increase. Transit times at SA borders increased by more than four hours, averaging 17,5 hours (32%, w/w), but cross-border wait times decreased by 0,7 hours (w/w). The Bloomberg “Trade Tracker” shows that commerce is still sluggish, with six indices below average. This week, the price of a 40-foot container fell by 3,5% (or $56) globally, to $1 536. In June, the difference between the global air freight tonnages for 2022 and 2023 was merely 4%.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~8 532 containers was handled per day, with ~9 737 containers projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban amounted to 2 932 containers, ↑37% compared to last week.
- Cross-border queue times were ↑0,7 hours (w/w), with transit times ↓2,1 hours (w/w); SA borders increased by more than four hours – averaging ~17,5 hours (↑32%, w/w).
- According to the Bloomberg “Trade Tracker”, trade remains subdued, with six indicators below normal.
- Global container rates decreased again significantly this week, falling ↓3,5% (or $56) to $1 536 per 40 ft.
- The gap between global air cargo tonnages in 2022 and 2023 has narrowed to just ↓4% in June.
Port operations – General:
- Port operations this week were characterised by adverse weather, persistent equipment breakdowns and shortages, vessel ranging, and load-shedding.
- Adverse weather conditions and vessel ranging persisted in Cape Town during the earlier stages of the week but subsided somewhat later.
- Subsequently, backlogs were mostly cleared, and the port was removed from the “Port Congestion Watch”.
- The shore tensioning units at the Port of Cape Town were previously installed permanently at berths 602 and 604, but the utilisation of these units will change soon.
- The latest reports from TNPA in the Eastern Cape region suggest that berth D100 at NCT is available for TPT to use.
- The Moormaster and its units are out of commission but not the berth. Additionally, a minor incident, unrelated to cable theft and vandalism, occurred during the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday as a train hook-up delayed operations for approximately three hours.