Transnet hopes Maersk can help reduce congestion at the Port of Cape Town
By Larry Claasen
Transnet hopes that the creation of the A. P. Moller – Maersk’s (Maersk) warehousing & distribution facility at Belcon in Belville could reduce congestion at the Port of Cape Town.
The facility, which was launched in May 2023, enables companies to have a one-stop service when it comes to transporting their goods, regardless of transport type.
It also has access to Transnet’s rail siding, allowing it to have the goods transported by rail to the port.
Andiswa Dlanga, the managing executive of Western Cape Terminals, encouraged businesses to use the Maersk facility, which is based close to Transnet’s own container facility in the area.
Speaking at a presentation to the Western Cape Parliament in late 2023, Dlanga hoped that Maersk’s new facility would be supported by businesses in the region.
“We now have two inland terminals at Belcon. Maersk developed one with nice facilities.
“We really encourage people to use these facilities because it’s going [help] to decongest the city.”
Though it is still in the early days for the Maersk facility, businesses have started using it.
“Our site has 6 200 pallet positions and a total floor space (including mezzanine) of roughly 10 000 sqm. We are currently serving several customers through this space, with the possibility to serve more in the future,” Maersk said in response to questions on the facility.
Though the facility caters for a wide range of transport types, Maersk noted the advantages of having rail access.
“The rail siding will enable reliable, faster, cost-efficient, and greener access into/out of the port, bypassing traffic and port gate congestion.”
Maersk points out that aside from transporting goods, the new facility also marks its expansion out of shipping and into offering an end-to-end logistics service.
“Maersk is an integrated logistics provider that is engaged in connecting and simplifying its customers’ supply chains. From being a traditional shipping line, Maersk has forayed into the space of providing end-to-end logistics as a part of its integrated solutions.”
It said this meant its customers could get their supply chain needs addressed through a “single window,” whether it be transportation over the ocean, road, rail, or air, or storage through warehouses and depots.
It also means they have services like customs clearances and terminal handling handled through Maersk.
When asked what arrangement it had with Transnet when it came to setting up and running the facility, it said: “ The facility is independently and fully operated by Maersk.”
The group said it would consider expanding its facility based on the needs of its customers.
