Bumper citrus export just before tariffs hit

The Port of Cape Town achieved a record volume of citrus fruit exports during a week in July, with three million cartons currently en route, including 1.2 million destined for the United States. This milestone reflects substantial operational enhancements at the port, particularly at the container terminal, which exceeded its weekly target of 14,000 container moves by a significant margin, achieving 19,000 moves in mid-July.

The Port Liaison Forum (PLF), comprising stakeholders such as the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the Citrus Growers Association, and various business and export representatives, commended the Transnet National Ports Authority for its role in facilitating this achievement. The PLF attributed the success to improved cooperation among its members and the authority’s operational advancements.

Despite these gains, stakeholders acknowledge that further improvements are necessary to reverse the declining trend in vessel calls at the port. The imminent addition of nine rubber-tyred gantry cranes, bringing the total to 32, and the operation of seven out of nine ship-to-shore cranes, are steps in this direction. Private sector stakeholders are advocating increased night loading to alleviate congestion, a measure that could further enhance the port’s efficiency.

Efforts are also underway to bolster the port’s appeal for ship repair services, a sector where South Africa has ceded ground to competitors such as Walvis Bay in Namibia. An outdated port handbook and challenges in rig repair were cited as obstacles requiring attention.

Terry Gale, chairman of the PLF and Exporters Western Cape, underscored the need for national government intervention to secure favourable tariff outcomes for exporters, particularly given ongoing trade discussions with the United States. “The discussions are still ongoing and as EWC we will stop at nothing to ensure that trade with the US resumes, even with the 10% basic import duty,” he stated.