Addressing the persistent equipment issues at South African ports is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of the sea freight sector.
Years of neglect and mismanagement of funds have led to significant capital expenditure shortfalls, creating substantial challenges in upgrading the necessary infrastructure. While borrowing funds remains an option, it exacerbates the country’s escalating debt levels.
Peter Besnard, CEO of the South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents (Saasoa), underscores the detrimental effects of ageing equipment and inadequate maintenance at South African ports.
He notes that these issues severely hamper productivity and the timely turnaround of vessels. Furthermore, ongoing challenges with marine resources—such as tugs, pilot boats, helicopters, and pilots—are particularly acute at the ports of Durban and Richards Bay.
Currently, only three out of the country’s four helicopters are operational between these ports, with one grounded for several months awaiting spare parts.
The industry has consistently raised concerns regarding tug availability at the ports. To address this issue, five used tugs are scheduled to arrive by the end of May.
These additional tugs will help alleviate some of the pressure and will be deployed to key ports including Durban, East London, and Port Elizabeth.
Regarding pilot boats, Besnard noted the uncertainty surrounding the replacement of these ageing and frequently non-operational vessels. “There are serious repercussions to this.
When both the helicopter and pilot boats are out of service, pilots must board vessels using alternative methods such as tugs or private service providers.
However, this option is not viable at all ports. These challenges surrounding marine services contribute significantly to berthing delays.”
Even after vessels are berthed, there are ongoing and well-documented issues with the ship working equipment in all ports.
The majority of gantry cranes currently in operation across the country are around 29 years old. Despite assistance from Original Equipment Manufacturers in sourcing spare parts, obtaining them remains a challenge.
Straddle carriers, essential for both ship working and landside operations at all ports, are highly unreliable.
In Durban, at the beginning of a shift, only about 50 are typically available to be divided between both operations at the container terminal, whereas an efficient operation the size of Pier 2 alone requires around 85.
The remaining carriers are either waiting for spare parts, are too old to repair, or have been cannibalized to keep other carriers operational. Rubber-tyred gantries also frequently break down due to their advanced age.
“If one considers all the challenges, it’s understandable that productivity levels are far from optimal,” said Besnard, emphasizing the critical need for a solution at the ports.
“As a country, we’re operating in incredibly tough times. For exports, where foreign currency is earned, competition is fierce, and costs are of vital importance.
On the import side, berthing delays of up to 16 days at the anchorage are proving to be a devastating financial blow for large businesses.”
Improving the reliability of straddle carriers and other essential port equipment is crucial for boosting efficiency and reducing costly delays.
By addressing these infrastructure challenges, South Africa can enhance its port operations, making them more competitive in the global market.
