Public and private stakeholders have agreed on a series of changes aimed at alleviating congestion and delays for harbour carriers at the Port of Durban.
These adjustments primarily target the landside dispatch of containers and are set to be trialed over two weeks, starting from 06h00 on August 16.
The changes focus on improving Transnet’s current truck-slot booking system, which has been plagued by IT failures, corruption, and inefficiencies, leading to significant revenue losses for transporters.
Key among the adjustments is the introduction of a batch-release system for containers, the extension of the booking period from four to 48 hours, and a daily 10h00 meeting with harbour carriers to address any emerging issues.
Earle Peters, CEO of Durban Terminals at Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), stated that the batch-release system would allow operators collecting 50 or more containers to bypass the booking system, freeing up slots for smaller operators.
This system is designed to optimize container movement by reducing unnecessary handling, thereby improving the utilization of equipment like straddle carriers.
Industry feedback has been cautiously optimistic. Junaid Abbas, founder of Africa Trans Carriers, who decided to close his 17-year-old business due to cargo delays, supported the batch-release system, noting that it could alleviate some of the booking system’s pressure.
However, concerns remain about whether certain companies might still hoard slots or whether equipment availability at the port will continue to hamper cargo movement.
Peters emphasized that the three-pronged approach—batch-release dispatching, extended booking periods, and daily industry engagements—represents a new planning philosophy for harbour carriers.
He estimated that these measures could reduce container moves at Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 by 30-50%, benefiting both large and small operators.
Despite these efforts, some transporters remain skeptical about the long-term effectiveness of the changes.
Abbas, while supportive of the new initiatives, confirmed that he is proceeding with plans to sell his fleet and exit the industry by the end of the month.
