Inclement weather, frequent equipment failures and shortages, difficult vessel ranging, and load-shedding were all factors that affected port operations. Severe vessel ranging throughout the week had an impact on CTCT, with one vessel losing about 64 operational hours. At least 12 vessels were delayed by bad weather and large swells in Durban, while operations at our ports in the Eastern Cape were severely hampered by bad weather and vessel ranging. The owners/operators of bulk oil carriers and liquid nitrogen gas vessels are very pleased with TNPA’s commendable completion of the revetment project at the Port of Port Elizabeth’s Tanker Berth and Berth 14 three months ahead of schedule. During the first part of the week, our train network experienced sporadic cable theft once more, which caused a brief interruption in service.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~8 612 containers was handled per day, with ~8 491 containers projected for next week.
- TNPA stats for August: containers are up by ↑10% (m/m) and ↑3% (y/y) but down YTD by ↓2,8% (y/y). Total bulk cargoes are down versus July (↓1%) but up by ↑27% (y/y). Vehicles are up by ↑55% (m/m).
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban amounted to 2 505 containers per day, ↑9% compared to last week.
- Cross-border queue times were ↓0,8 hours (w/w), with transit times ↑0,3 hours (w/w); SA borders decreased by ~36 minutes, averaging ~10,8 hours (↓5%); Other SADC borders averaged ~9,9 hours (↑5%).
- Global freight rates decreased by another ↓5,2% (or $829) to $1 479 per 40-ft container this week.
- Global air cargo saw a ↑4% (w/w) increase in tonnages, with a ↑1% rise in air cargo prices to $2,31/kg.
Port operations – General:
- Port operations were characterized by inclement weather conditions, frequent equipment breakdowns and shortages, severe vessel ranging, and load-shedding. CTCT was affected by severe vessel ranging throughout the week, as one vessel lost approximately 64 operational hours.
- Adverse weather and high swells delayed at least 12 vessels in Durban, while operations at our Eastern Cape ports were extensively challenged by inclement weather and vessel ranging.
- TNPA has creditably completed the revetment project at Port of Port Elizabeth’s Tanker Berth and Berth 14, three months ahead of schedule, which is widely welcomed by the owners/operators of bulk oil carriers and liquid nitrogen gas vessels.
- Additionally, intermittent cable theft occurred again on our rail network during the earlier stages of the week, which delayed operations for a few hours