The Cape Town Container Terminal recorded its highest weekly volume of 19 500 twenty foot equivalent units (TEU) last week, after handling a total of eight agricultural export vessels with minimum delays.
The terminal has been berthing vessels on arrival since May this year despite equipment challenges and inclement weather. Managing Executive of the Western Cape Terminals Andiswa Dlanga said, “We have been able to capitalise on the good weather to see our planning through in the past week, and the recovery turnaround when we have had equipment breakdowns has been good.”
Industry calls for new equipment at the Cape Town Container Terminal have been incorporated in the three-year capital investment plan starting in the 2023/2024 financial year. The terminal is also expecting the delivery of a ship-to-shore crane in September 2022. Recent equipment purchase approvals include four straddle carriers, two reach stackers and two empty container handlers, with expected delivery in the next financial year. Dlanga said beyond the acquisition of new equipment, the terminal was focusing on basics. “We have key performance indicators that assist us in running an efficient operation where we measure ship working hours, gross crane moves per hour among other things. Our focus is on meeting these targets and the results are increased volume throughput” said Dlanga.
The Cape Town Container Terminal plays a supporting role in the country’s citrus season (April to September 2022) that sees both Durban and the Eastern Cape move export volumes to over 100 countries mainly in the European Union (EU), Russia, United States of America (USA) and Mediterranean countries.
