Transnet claims credit for clearing backlog at Port of Cape Town

The Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) has successfully cleared most of its backlog, minimizing vessel wait times to only one at anchor.

This follows steep surcharges imposed on vessels stopping at South African ports by most of the major international shipping companies, a strong disincentive to use our ports to ship goods through or into the country.

Traffic has increased at Walvis Bay and Maputo container terminals as a result of rerouting, leading to a several-days long queue at the Lobombo gateway at the Mozambican border.

However, Transnet attributes this improvement to increased equipment availability. Six rubber-tyred gantries (RTGs), which are the sort of cranes used to move containers,7 recently received new engines, and three were equipped with generators, raising the average availability of gantries from 15 to 20. Two more RTGs are undergoing maintenance, and seven additional second-hand machines are expected in December, bringing the total RTG count to 29.

TPT is working on long-term partnerships with original equipment manufacturers for container and multipurpose terminals. Landside enhancements include expanding hauler numbers from 32 to 42, while ship-to-shore cranes average eight, with one undergoing maintenance.

Recruitment efforts for additional engineering personnel, particularly diesel mechanics, are prioritized to ensure equipment reliability. Despite recent delays, the CTCT aims to optimize logistics for the upcoming deciduous fruit season, a significant contributor to the South African economy.

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