Exporters laud TNPA for improved performance at crane-enhanced CTCT

Cape Town Port Container Terminal logged another milestone earlier this month when it handled 4092 containers (TEU) in a single day.

Figures shared this week by Exporters Western Cape suggest CTCT continues to improve efficiency thanks largely to new cranes.  

“Even though CTCT was affected by wind delays for over 37 hours, the terminal was over target and, in fact, on Tuesday, 13th January, 4092 TEU was handled – almost a record, methinks,” commented EWC chairperson Terry Gale in a news update.  

“If CTCT can work at this consistency, it would handle over 28000 TEU per week – so it can be done!!

“EWC has acknowledged this milestone and conveyed our congratulations to the Transnet Team and those on the ground as well,” Gale said.  

Figures for the week 12-18th January show CTCT exceeded its container target, handling 16688 TEU against a target of 13373. The total of 399 rail moves also far exceeded the weekly target of 242.  

The Port has benefited from upgraded equipment, made possible partly by ongoing public-private partnership. TNPA  

This week’s positive CTCT figures coincide with the Presidency highlighting the need for structural transformation in key sectors, including logistics. Writing in his weekly online column, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted recommendations to this effect made at the year’s first meeting of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, made up of respected local and international economists, academics and practitioners.  

“The council said that Government should translate recent positive developments into enduring growth by simultaneously boosting public infrastructure spending and lowering the cost of doing business,” Ramaphosa said. “Increasing infrastructure investment is not simply about spending more. It is about delivering projects that reduce the cost of doing business, unlock growth and create jobs.”  

“Council members expressed strong support for the ongoing programme of structural transformation in key sectors such as electricity, logistics and water. These interventions, which have brought an end to load-shedding and improved rail and port performance, aim to enable competition, improve the efficiency of network industries and reduce costs across the economy,” Ramaphosa said.  

TNPA is moving to allow private operators to handle fruit and general cargo at Cape Town’s Multi-Purpose Terminal. However, unlike Durban, CTCT remains under TNPA management. The Cape Chamber continues to lobby for private sector concessions to be extended to the container terminal.