A record-breaking average of 12,716 TEUs were handled daily in our container terminals, up from 10,051 TEUs the previous week. Bad weather, empty berths, equipment failures, and shortages were the hallmarks of port operations. Unfavorable weather and an empty berth at the beginning of the week were the primary causes of Cape Town’s operational delays. In Durban, on the other hand, operating delays were guaranteed by bad weather and equipment failures. While terminal issues caused operating limitations in Richards Bay this week, strong winds and unoccupied berths were the primary causes of operational delays at our Eastern Cape Ports. According to recent reports, endurance testing are planned for the second week of January 2025, and the new straddle carriers for Durban are reportedly currently being assembled. Furthermore, the floating crane resumed operations this week as planned, but the port helicopter only occasionally operated this week. Furthermore, according to recent sources, cable theft continues to have a significant impact on the line near Pretoria, resulting in operational delays of anywhere from 12 to 18 hours.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~12 716 TEUs was handled per day, with ~10 720 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 3 629 containers, up ↑40% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↓0,3 hrs; transit: ↓0,1 hrs; SA borders: 18,6 hrs (↑24%); SADC: 4,5 hrs (↓10%).
Port operations – General:
- In our container terminals, a record-high average of 12 716 TEUs was handled per day, up from 10 051 TEUs last week.
- Port operations were characterised by inclement weather, vacant berths, equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- The main operational delays in Cape Town stemmed from adverse weather and a vacant berth at the start of the week.
- In contrast, inclement weather and equipment breakdowns ensured operational delays in Durban.
- Strong winds and vacant berths were the main sources of operational delays at our Eastern Cape Ports, while terminal challenges led to operational constraints in Richards Bay this week.
- The latest reports suggest that the assembly of the new straddle carriers for Durban is in progress, with endurance tests scheduled for the second week of January 2025.
- Additionally, the floating crane returned to operations this week as anticipated; however, the port helicopter was in service sporadically this week.
- Further, the latest reports suggest that the line near Pretoria is still severely affected by cable theft, causing operational delays of anything between 12 and 18 hours.
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