This week’s port operations were complicated by problems caused by bad weather, regular equipment failures and shortages, load-shedding, backlogs, delays, and congestion. Although there were few delays this week due to favourable weather in Cape Town, congestion increased toward the end of the week as the average berthing delay increased from 8 to over 10 days. At the Port of Durban, TNPA announced their operations schedule for the Easter holiday. In an effort to reduce the frequent congestion on Bayhead Road in Durban, the first section of the Bayhead bypass route was also opened on Monday morning. A firm to lease rolling stock, such as wagons and locomotives, to the market was also announced by Transnet on Tuesday, with a deadline of 30 June 2023.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~6 601 containers was handled per day, with ~8 792 containers projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban amounted to 1 829 containers, ↓24% compared to last week.
- Cross-border queue times were ↑8,8 hours, with transit times ↓1,1 hours, SA borders ~11,6 hours (↑10%).
- According to the WTO, trade growth will slow to ↑1,7% in 2023, following a ↑2,7% expansion in 2022.
- Liner schedule reliability improved by ↑7,7% (m/m) to 60,2%, with average late arrivals at 5,29 days.
- Global freight rates per the “WCI” were stable (↓0,4% or $7) at $1 710 per 40 ft this week.
- The latest global air cargo analysis shows annual tonnages are down by ↓8% (y/y) in March.
Port operations – General:
- Port operations this week revolved around challenges stemming from adverse weather, frequent equipment breakdowns and shortages, load-shedding, backlogs, delays, and congestion.
- Weather conditions in Cape Town remained favourable this week, with minimal delays reported; however, congestion worsened over the latter stages as the average berthing delays exceeded 10 days compared to 8 at the start of the week.
- TNPA communicated their operational plans at the Port of Durban for the Easter weekend.
- Additionally, the first phase of the Bayhead bypass road was opened on Monday morning as part of the effort to ease the frequent congestion experienced on Bayhead Road in Durban.
- Furthermore, on Tuesday, Transnet called for partners to help it establish a company to lease rolling stock, such as wagons and locomotives, to the market with a deadline of 30 June 2023.