Equipment failures, vessel range, and unfavourable weather were the hallmarks of port operations. The primary causes of operating delays in Cape Town were strong winds and vessel ranging, while the primary causes of operational delays in Durban were unfavourable weather and equipment failures. TPT and business partners have implemented a two-week trial of an alternate booking system at the terminal in other parts of Durban. The weather has caused our ports in the Eastern Cape to lose almost 40 operating hours this week, but the newly constructed staging facility at the Port of Richards Bay appears to be helping to control the number of trucks that travel the roads to get to the port. Furthermore, according to the most recent TFR data, the ConCor line between Johannesburg and Durban would close for business as usual from August 27, 2024, until September 5, 2024. In order to increase productivity in Durban and Cape Town, TNPA has renovated and installed capstans in four dry dock facilities, which is a good advance in infrastructure.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~7 036 containers was handled per day, with ~8 727 containers projected for next week.
- TNPA stats for July makes for poor reading: containers are down by ↓14% (m/m) and ↓10% (y/y). Total bulk is down by ↓10% (m/m) and ↓11% (y/y). Vehicles trade is up monthly (↑7%) and yearly (↑23%).
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 3 027 containers, up ↑8% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: no change; transit: ↑1,1 hrs; SA borders: 11,2 hrs (↓3%); SADC: 5,9 hrs (↑26%).
- Container rates have decreased for a fourth consecutive week – by ↓2,2% (or $123) to $5 428/40ft.
- Air cargo has dropped since the start of July ↓3%, while the average rate remained stable at $2,50/kg.
Port operations – General:
- Port operations were characterised by adverse weather, vessel ranging, and equipment breakdowns.
- Strong winds and vessel ranging were the main culprits of operational delays in Cape Town, while adverse weather and equipment breakdowns were the main operational constraints in Durban.
- Elsewhere in Durban, TPT and industry have piloted an alternative booking system at the terminal, which will run for two weeks.
- Our Eastern Cape ports conceded more than 40 operational hours this week to inclement weather, while the newly developed staging area at the Port of Richards Bay is seemingly assisting in keeping the volume of trucks on the roads en route to the port regulated.
- Additionally, the latest reports from TFR suggest that the annual shutdown on the ConCor line between Durban and Johannesburg will take place from 27 August to 5 September 2024.
- Lastly, some welcome infrastructure developments have been announced this week, as TNPA have replaced and installed capstans in four dry dock facilities to enhance productivity in Durban and Cape Town.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report