Strides being made to clear Durban port backlog: Transnet
Transnet says it's made significant progress in clearing the cargo backlog at the Durban port.
Severe congestion brought operations to a standstill two years ago, when up to 73 vessels were left to wait offshore.
Berthing delays averaged around 18 days.
The crisis was blamed on equipment breakdowns and a shortage of machinery.
Transnet says the disruptions led to significant financial losses that threatened trade and economic stability.
The state-owned logistics company says operations have since improved due to the procurement of new cranes, tugs, and 20 straddle carriers for Pier 2.
READ: R340m Bayhead Road repairs nearly complete
Durban Port Manager Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi led a media tour of the facility on Tuesday.
"If you look at the previous year, based on the targets we set for ourselves [and] the availability of equipment, there was some improvement that we could see. So it's important we do that so that we're capable to service our customers.
"It is far from where we want it to be, but what is important is that we've got a positive direction and trajectory in terms of making such improvements in terms of marine delays, in terms of ship turnaround time, ship working hours, and all of those issues.”
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
MORE ON ECR
