Despite major operating challenges, including unfavorable weather and continuous equipment shortages and failures, persistent efforts were made to alleviate the current port backlog. There are still 25 container ships waiting to anchor at the port of Durban on Friday, indicating that waterfront congestion is still an issue. Meanwhile, a number of unfavorable adjustments have been made to the vessel lineup for the upcoming week as a result of the Port of Cape Town’s inefficiencies. Additionally, there weren’t many data from TFR this week; nevertheless, the most recent reports show that on Friday, DCT Pier 2 had 149 ConCor units on hand and 97 over-border units with a dwell period of 26 days, indicating that there was no good news from this sector.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~8 410 containers was handled per day, with ~8 706 containers projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban amounted to 2 462 containers, up by ↑1% from last week.
- SARS merchandise trade (October): exports ↓1,8% (m/m), imports (↑13,3%); YTD surplus: R28,8 billion.
- Cross-border queue times were ↓0,7 hours (w/w), with transit times ↑0,1 hours (w/w); SA borders increased by ~3,2 hours, averaging ~17,4 hours (↑23%); Other SADC borders averaged ~6,7 hours (↑2%).
- Global freight rates have stabilised by dropping a mere ↓0,1% (or $2) to $1 382 per 40-ft container.
- Global air data showed a ↓3% decrease in tonnages and a ↑2% increase in global average rates.
Port operations – General:
- Persistent initiatives were undertaken to address the prevailing port backlog, albeit encountering
significant operational impediments, notably adverse weather conditions, together with ongoing
equipment breakdowns and shortages. - Waterside congestion remains a concern at the port of Durban, with a total of 25 container
vessels waiting at anchorage on Friday. - At the same time, the Port of Cape Town’s inefficiencies have resulted in several negative changes concerning the vessel lineup for the coming week.
- Furthermore, minimal reports were received from TFR this week; however, the latest reports indicate that DCT Pier 2 had 97 over-border units on hand with a dwell time of 26 days and 149 ConCor units on hand on Friday, indicating that there were no positive news from this sector.