South Africa seeks emergency external help to remedy dire situation across the nation’s ports

The dire situation at South Africa’s ports, which have some of lowest productivity levels in the world, has seen the authorities seek external help. 

Transnet National Ports Authority, which oversees the country’s top ports, is seeking terminal operators to come in for a period of three years to close what it describes as “port operational gaps” at its eight commercial seaports where termini operators contracts have been suspended or terminated. 

The ports include Durban, Cape Town, Richards Bay, Ngqura, Saldanha Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London and Mossel Bay.

“This approach is part of the ports authority strategy of fulfilling its port landlord role,” said Anthony Ngcezula, Transnet’s general manager for commercial services. “This will lead to decreased cargo losses and ensure that we provide our customers with a cost-effective and sustainable freight logistics solution.” 

Splash has reported repeatedly on the queues of ships that have built up at ports across South Africa, with the country’s terminals repeatedly polling among the lowest productivity-wise in surveys carried out by the World Bank.