THE Durban Car Terminal handled its milestone 600 000th vehicle on March 22 while the vessel Cattleya Ace of MOL Shipping offloaded 4 025 units and loaded 3 200 export units. The export vehicles were Toyota Hilux and BMW X3 models destined for Europe.
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) reports that the vessel operations were completed a day ahead of schedule which is indicative of improved terminal efficiencies. The record is attributed to committed employees, consistency and the easing of global Covid lockdown restrictions.
The terminal – the largest in sub-Saharan Africa – handled an average of 2 100 fully-built units per vessel during TPT’s 2022/2023 financial year which ends in March. The terminal set two new monthly records in the past 12 months. In April 72 000 fully-built units were handled and 77 000 were handled in October.
Managing executive of TPT’s Durban Terminals, Earle Peters, said: “We are constantly reinventing ourselves operationally, introducing initiatives that prioritise maximum benefit to the customer”. He added that the terminal had embarked on international benchmarking exercises which had also contributed to the team’s performance. “Strategies and plans without any commitment do not succeed and this is why we are very proud of the men and women of the terminal for their demonstrated competence and willingness to delight customers,” he said.
Following the Thailand benchmark last year, the Durban Car Terminal enhanced its offering through a review of yard planning, expanding reloading space to ensure that no vehicles are received when the vessel is already on-berth. Waterside capacity was also increased to accommodate the increase in demand.
TPT noted that another factor contributing to the increase in domestic vehicle demand was the hospitality industry’s opening up post-Covid. “The car hire industry fleeted up in anticipation of the December holidays while car manufacturers had also stocked up for festive season specials. This included a lot of import back orders after an extended automotive global parts shortage over the past two years. Transhipment volumes were also on the rise as demand continued to grow for second-hand passenger, high and heavy vehicles – with East and West Africa as export destinations.”
In terms of exports, Durban Car Terminal moves 14 of the 17 models manufactured in South Africa for export to nearly 30 customers in 150 markets worldwide. Europe, Asia and Africa are the biggest customers. Models exported include the Toyota Hilux, VW Amarok, Ford Ranger, BMW X3 and the Isuzu KB.
TPT reported an increase in volumes handled at its car terminals in East London, Port Elizabeth and Durban.
