Transnet tackles Durban port chaos

Na'ilah Ebrahim - Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says it has reached key agreements with suppliers as it works to ease congestion that has caused a several-month backlog at Durban Port.

The port, which has been plagued by equipment failures, insufficient infrastructure maintenance, and adverse weather conditions, has a backlog of container vessels that is only expected to be cleared by February 2024.

The congestion has led to shipping lines implementing congestion surcharges of between US$200 (R3 700) and US$400 (R7 500) per container since the beginning of December.

Multiple measures have been implemented in a bid to tackle the backlog and improve vessel turnaround time, including increasing ship working hours and helicopter hours.

Currently, a total of 24 vessels are anchored at the port: five at Pier 1, another 15 at Pier 2, and a further four at the multi-purpose terminal.



Time

The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) said on Thursday the average time at anchorage for vessels at Pier 1 was 89 hours (three days) – while the average time at anchorage at Pier 2 was 244 hours (10 days).

But TPT has said the number of straddle carriers was expected to improve by 30% in two weeks, after an agreement was concluded with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for critical spares.

According to TPT, it had needed some 8 000 items from each OEM – and the procurement is set to reduce waiting times for equipment spares.

Seven-year agreements were signed with equipment manufacturers for equipment such as straddle carriers, ship-to-shore and rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs).

Kalmar, Liebherr, Kone Cranes and ZPMC have already started supplying spares, TPT said.



Step in the right direction

Earle Peters, managing executive at the Durban port, said the increase in straddle carriers would help in the offloading of containers from vessels.

The agreement would shorten waiting times for spare equipment, Peters added.

In addition, tug availability – that is, ships used to steer and navigate larger ships – has also increased this month to improve operations and ensure faster turnaround times.

Three second-hand tugs are also expected to arrive at the port between January and April next year.

Port manager Mpumie Dweba-Kwetana said: "Having all tugs operating is a step in the right direction for the port [...]. We are optimistic about these tugs' positive impact on our current recovery plan and our general service offering to our customers."



Longer term

As for the longer term, the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) issued a tender for the deepening and lengthening of berths on Monday, which it hopes will further improve operational capacity at the port.

The project, which is taking place at three berths at Pier 2, will involve deepening the channel and basin of the three berths by 3.7 metres to 16.5 metres and lengthening the quays from 914 metres to 1 210 metres.

Construction will begin in August next year, with completion expected in December 2029.

TNPA managing executive Moshe Motlohi said the "overdue" project would improve turnaround times for bigger vessels and increase the number of containers handled at the port.

This is crucial because, according to the TNPA, a change in the mix of smaller and bigger vessels at the port impacted its operational and berth capacity – to the tune of 500 000 twenty-foot equivalent or standard-sized containers to 2.4 million standard-sized containers.



Pressure

Motlohi said: “The port of Durban has lost capacity for more ships over time. The ships have gotten bigger [over the years], meaning that we can now only berth two at a time. If there is a third ship, it is left waiting outside.”

With deeper and longer berths, Motlohi said the port would no longer be tide-dependent to accommodate more ships. The port will also be able to deploy more cranes.

Motlohi explained: “The port is under pressure. The [bigger] ships have become tidal ships, which means that if it is not berthed at a specific tide, we lose 12 hours of window time because we have to wait for the tide to come in again.”

But in the meantime, ongoing congestion and delays are still placing pressure on cargo owners, who now face steep congestion surcharges on their containers.



Additional fees

Last month, shipping lines Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Maersk, Compagnie Maritime d'Affrètement Compagnie Générale Maritime (CGA CGM) said they would implement additional fees for congested vessels as of 3 December for South African ports, including the Durban port.

Cargo owners at the Durban port confirmed to News24 that the shipping lines have implemented the fee – which is typically between US$200 and US$400 per shipping container – and that additional charges have been reflected on their invoices.

They said they have to pay demurrage, an additional fee due to vessels not loading or discharging in time.

Speaking to News24, Motlohi said the TNPA will continue to engage with the shipping lines about the surcharges.

"The principals took the decision to impose the surcharge, not the local offices of the shipping line. [The shipping lines] have given us an indication as to what will make them reconsider [implementing the congestion]. We must show good results and turn the corner," he said.

According to Motlohi, port operations are improving, with Cape Town and Eastern Cape ports no longer experiencing delays. – Fin24