Port of Richards Bay October stats
According to Transnet National Ports Authority's (TNPA) statistics, the country's ports moved more than 15 million tons, with Richards Bay handling the largest bulk.
THE Port of Richards Bay recorded a slight increase in cargo tonnage last month with 7.3-million tons shifted compared to the 7,1 million tons in September.
This is lower, however, when compared to the 8 million tons handled during the same period last year.
According to Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) statistics, the country’s ports moved more than 15 million tons, with Richards Bay handling the largest bulk.
A total of 534 containers were shifted in October, compared to 821 last year; 219 landed on South Africa’s shores and 315 shipped out.
Among the 122 vessels with a gross tonnage of 5.6 million docking in the port, 98 were for bulk, five for general cargo and 19 were tankers for oil and chemicals.
This comes as Richards Bay gears up to welcome passenger vessels for the 2021/22 cruise season.
Richards Bay, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Gqeberha and Durban are scheduled to receive a total of 20 passenger vessels for the season beginning this month and ending in May.
The cruise season was halted last year because of the pandemic.
TNPA’s new operating model
To improve efficiency at ports, TNPA has introduced a new operating model tackling maintenance of critical infrastructure and dealing with backlogs.
Part of the new model includes the appointment of managing executives to oversee three strategic regions.
Moshe Motlohi, managing executive for the eastern region, said in a virtual briefing that the port master plan seeks to position Durban as a container hub port and Richards Bay as an enabler to this structure.
Motlohi emphasised the need to focus on environmental sustainability as a result of the recent road traffic spike in the Port of Richards Bay.
He said the region is also adopting an integrated approach to engaging the stakeholders, calling for joint planning with local government.
