SOUTH AFRICA – Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has embarked on an equipment acquisition drive with R3.9 billion (USD 214.7 million) investment, increasing the volumes of goods handled across its ports in the first six weeks of the 2024/2025 financial year.
The initiative is also focused on improving availability and reliability of the existing fleet during the first phase of the recovery plan.
The company announced on Friday that its container volumes had risen 10%, while bulk volumes and break-bulk volumes had increased by 5% and 17%, respectively, for the period as a result of its staff’s commitment to the group’s turnaround strategy.
The positive forecast is especially crucial given the ongoing peak citrus season. TPT’s container terminals have begun the citrus season with over 200 additional cargo coordinators and port workers, as well as additional capacity across participating terminals.
Mdaki said TPT would maintain good communication with depots and cold stores to achieve maximum flexibility regarding the opening stacks.
“It is crucial for the industry to make use of the entire 24-hour operational window at terminals to ensure a successful season.”
However, despite the remarkable growth, automotive volumes have declined 3% as a result of importers holding high stock levels that forced them to revise their orders. This comes on the back of lower car sales dampened by slow economic growth.
TPT chief executive Jabu Mdaki said compared to the last financial year, which ended on March 31, 2023, port performance was showing signs of recovery.
“A 24-hour maintenance regime is in place to secure the availability and reliability of existing equipment. Original equipment manufacturers are across all terminals providing technical support and supplying critical spares,” TPT said.
Mdaki added that the company was continuing to collaborate with its customers to improve operational efficiency.
“While weather continues to disrupt operations, contingency plans are sufficient and integrated planning and collaboration engagements with customers and industry are ongoing.”
Support from customers has included the supply of equipment, the identification of equipment available globally for purchase, the urgent transportation of equipment, and terminal partnership programmes that promote world-class planning and execution.
Towards zero emissions
Meanwhile, Zero Carbon Charge, a renewable energy company, plans to build 120 truck charging stops along South Africa’s main trucking routes, starting with its recently launched N3 project as an incentive t increase electric trucks in the country.
According to Joubert Roux, co-founder of the renewable energy company, multiple countries, including South Africa are leaning towards electric trucks as a tangible solution to reducing carbon emissions and operating costs in the transport sector.
“Several manufacturers have introduced electric trucks into the South African market, and retail giants like Takealot, Shoprite and Woolworths have started to include them in their fleets to varying degrees,” he explained.
On Tuesday, May 21, Daimler Truck SA, targeting exclusively zero-emissions trucks in the EU by 2039, will be holding an e-mobility event that will dominate the daily road freight agenda in Gauteng.
“Our data shows that over 8 500 trucks drive the busy N3 route between Johannesburg and Durban daily,” stated Roux.
Substituting an electric vehicle on this route, in his view, would save an estimated 670kg in CO2 emissions each. But there is also significant added value in a move to electric trucks, with savings on fuel and fuel import costs.
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