IN an effort to tackle congestion issues and improve operational performance Transnet Port Terminal’s (TPT) Durban Container Terminal (DCT) held a stakeholder engagement session aimed at educating and to engage with the transport and maritime industry over the re-introduction of the container appointment system.
The container appointment system is meant to address current challenges over truck and container transactions that are currently not spread evenly over a seven day week, resulting in some days of the week being highly pressurized when compared to others.
The consequence of the pressurized days is longer truck turnaround times and ultimately congestion in the surrounding roads leading to the port.
TPT’s General Manager Operations: KZN Containers, Julani Dube, said the proposed goal once having implemented the container appointment system will be to achieve a 35 minute truck turnaround time (gate-in to gate-out), with zero percent staging time.
“We have done the necessary research and tracked all movements and transactions over the past year to know where the problems are and what is realistically achievable if we get the necessary buy-in from stakeholders to implement the container appointment system.”
“Our engagement session held at DCT was to identify any additional concerns raised by transporters about the implementation of this system so we could factor these in and ensure a smooth roll-out. We intend to go live with a pilot of the system on 1 April 2017 at DCT Pier 1,” said Dube.
The benefits to introducing the container appointment system include, a more structured operation, fluidity of the terminal/staging area, better utilisation of terminal resources for the benefit of all users, volume smoothing, improvement of safety and minimising fatigue, a stop to the ongoing allegation of bribery, minimising of industry frustration, reduction of Bayhead road congestion and saving of costs for all parties.
Ten years ago Transnet Port Terminals’ Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 1, a combination multipurpose terminal previously known as “New Pier”, began operations. Over the past 10 years, DCT Pier 1 has built up a reputation of being an industry leader with significant improvements seen in both gross crane moves per hour (GCH), grown from 20 to 28, ship working hour (SWH) (increased from 10 to 53) as well as the caliber of clients serviced, which in previous years has included China Shipping, CMA-CGM, Maruba Shipping, MSC, MOL, NYK, K-Line, Zim line and Safmarine.
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