This week’s port operations were mostly hampered by traffic jams, bad weather, equipment failures, and shortages. This week, vessel ranging emerged as the main operational limitation in Cape Town, while equipment failures, shortages, and traffic caused operational delays in Durban. near our ports in the Eastern Cape, delays were mostly caused by bad weather and occupied marine equipment; near the conclusion of the week, rainy weather was reported at the Port of Richards Bay. To further enhance the handling of petroleum products, TNPA has also released a request for information (RFI) for the renovation, financing, operation, and upkeep of loading facilities at the Port of Mossel Bay. Additionally, earlier this week there was a power outage outside King’s Rest yard that caused a six to eight-hour delay in train network operations.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~8 545 containers was handled per day, with ~8 111 containers projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 729 containers, down by ↓6% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↑0,1; transit: ↑0,8 hrs; SA borders: 10,5 hrs (↑6%); SADC borders: 4,6 hrs (↑21%).
- Global port congestion has taken out a total of 2,51 million TEUs of vessel capacity from circulation.
- Freight rates continue to increase and are up by ↑3,9% (or $201) to $5 318 per 40-ft container.
- Global air cargo tonnages dropped by ↓5%, as average rates increased by ↑1% to $2,54/kg.
Port operations – General:
- Port operations this week were mainly constrained by congestion, inclement weather, equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- Vessel ranging proved to be the most prominent operational constraint in Cape Town this week, while equipment breakdowns, shortages, and congestion ensured operational delays in Durban.
- Adverse weather conditions and occupied marine equipment were the primary sources of delays at our Eastern Cape ports, while the Port of Richards Bay experienced rainy weather towards the end of the week.
- Additionally, TNPA has issued a request for information (RFI) for the refurbishment, financing, operation, and maintenance of loading facilities at the Port of Mossel Bay to improve the handling of petroleum products.
- Further, a power failure just outside King’s Rest’s yard delayed operations on the rail network for around 6-8 hours earlier this week.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report