This week’s adverse conditions, in addition to equipment malfunctions and shortages, caused port operations to be hampered once more. While the weather in Cape Town improved this week, vessel ranging continued to affect operations, and equipment malfunctions and unfavorable weather in the Port of Durban caused disruptions. In the Eastern Cape, operating delays were caused by strong winds and vessel range, whilst the Port of Richards Bay saw very little delay. Earlier this week, the Operations Manager at the Port of Richards Bay, Sipho Ntshangase, stated that the port should be able to handle increased volumes over the coming months, mainly due to the new staging area that will host around 1 500 tipper trucks. Lastly, the African Development Bank will loan Transnet around R16,8 billion to fund the first phase of its R152,8 billion five-year capital investment plan to improve its existing capacity.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~8 377 containers was handled per day, with ~8 900 containers projected for next week.
- TNPA stats for June: containers are up by ↑3% (m/m) and ↑4% (y/y). Total bulk is up by ↑4% (m/m) but down by ↓6% (y/y). Vehicles are up monthly (↑10%) and yearly (↑14%). Most sectors are equal to 2019.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 752 containers, up ↑1% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: unchanged; transit: ↑0,6 hrs; SA borders: 11,9 hrs (↑8%); SADC borders: 5 hrs (↑14%).
- Freight rates stabilised this week and only increased by ↑0,7% (up by $36), trading at $5 937/40ft.
- Global air cargo saw a ↓1% drop in worldwide tonnages, with rates increasing by ↓1% to $2,50/kg.
Port operations – General:
- This week, port operations were again disrupted by adverse weather conditions, as well as equipment breakdowns and shortages this week.
- Although weather conditions improved in Cape Town this week, operations were still impacted by vessel ranging, while adverse weather and equipment breakdowns disrupted operations at the Port of Durban.
- Strong winds and vessel ranging ensured operational delays in the Eastern Cape, while minimal delays were reported at the Port of Richards Bay.
- Earlier this week, the Operations Manager at the Port of Richards Bay, Sipho Ntshangase, stated that the port should be able to handle increased volumes over the coming months, mainly due to the new staging area that will host around 1 500 tipper trucks.
- Lastly, the African Development Bank will loan Transnet around R16,8 billion to fund the first phase of its R152,8 billion five-year capital investment plan to improve its existing capacity.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report