A daily average of 6 990 containers were handled, and 8 620 containers are anticipated for the following week. According to TNPA statistics, containers are down 12% (m/m) but up 3% (y/y) in April. TEU exports are down 4.9% year to date, while TEU imports are down 9.0%. The overall bulk cargo is down 5% annually and 9% monthly. 1 246 containers worth of rail goods were handled out of Durban, down 42% from the previous week. Cross-border wait times were 0.5 hours, transit delays were 0.1 hours, and SA borders were 12.5 hours (or 52% of the total). With only 3% of the fleet experiencing blank sailings this week, global port congestion is still only 7.2% of the fleet. Similar to previous week, global container rates decreased by 1%, or $21 to $1 720 per 40 ft. With an increase of 7% this week, air cargo has only partially recovered from the decline in the first week of May.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~6 990 containers was handled per day, with ~8 620 containers projected for next week.
- TNPA stats for April: containers are down by ↓12% (m/m) but up by ↑3% (y/y). YTD volume remains low: TEU exports are ↓4,9%, with imports at ↓9,0%. Total bulk cargo is down by ↓9% (m/m) and ↓5% (y/y).
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban amounted to 1 246 containers, ↓42% compared to last week.
Cross-border queue times were ↑0,5 hours, with transit times ↓0,1 hours, SA borders ~12,5 hours (↑52%). - Global port congestion remains relatively low (7,2% of the fleet), with blank sailings at only 3% this week.
- Global container rates fell by the same magnitude as last week (by ↓1%, or $21 to $1 720 per 40 ft).
- Air cargo has only partially recovered from the drop in the first week of May – up ↑7% this week.
Port operations – General:
- Adverse weather, all-too-frequent equipment breakdowns and shortages, load-shedding, roadshows, and congestion typified port operations.
- The main operational challenges at the Port of Cape Town arose at the start of the week as the port went wind bound for almost a day.
- Over the weekend and leading into the early stages of the week, DCTs Pier 1 implemented a tiered cargo evacuation approach which facilitates cargo evacuation without the need for a booking slot to be made.
- Additionally, the Port of Richards Bay implemented its booking system to facilitate direct communication between the mines and the respective terminals to improve the congestion at the port.
- Furthermore, the dire cable theft and vandalism on our rail network continued as more expensive and serious incidents occurred throughout the week.