Ngqura Container Terminal attains new highs in August box throughput

SOUTH Africa's newest container port is continuing to set records with Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) in the eastern Cape having had its best month yet in August by handling 63,857 TEU, 34 per cent ahead of the previous monthly record achieved in June this year, and 40.4 per cent ahead of volumes handled in the corresponding period of 2011.

According to Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), which manages the facility, the strong performance was related to "increased market demand and the start of the reefer cargo season," reports London's Containerisation International.

TPT said that imports accounted for 18,725 TEU, exports 16,444 TEU and transhipment cargo 28,688 TEU of the total. The latter reflects the growing success of the terminal as a gateway for Africa, with MSC and Mitsui OSK Lines among the carriers that have built a hub port strategy, based on the complex.

Commenting on the figures, Siya Mhlaluka, general manager of the eastern Cape for TPT, stressed the importance of the productivity enhancements being achieved at the terminal. "During August 2012 shifts working at the terminal consistently achieved 29 moves per gross crane hour. This has been made possible by teamwork and improvements in vessel and yard planning.

"These volumes also have significant economic benefit because faster and more efficient container handling has ripple effects for the rest of the supply chain."