Port of Richards Bay counts progress in tackling truck congestion

The Port of Richards Bay says it is making progress in addressing the persistent truck congestion on the city’s roads.

The local port has been receiving, on average, 1 800 trucks per day since March last year, more than double the previous year’s truck volume.

This increase has been attributed mainly to an ‘unprecedented high demand’ for coal by the international market.

In effort to ease congestion, the port has introduced various control systems including a booking system.

An additional truck staging capacity of 250 parking bays has also been created, separate to the truck staging area.

TNPA Port Manager for the Port of Richards Bay, Dennis Mqadi has however rejected claims that the port is now used as a truck stop.

“We are encouraged by the collaborative approach demonstrated by all stakeholders in recent meetings, where customers have committed to support initiatives that are being proposed by the port and terminal operators, such as the use of the truck booking system effective 13 May to allow customers to engage with transporters and cargo agents.

“This is a great step towards the right direction. We are confident that the compulsory use of the truck booking system and other initiatives will provide a lasting solution to the problem,” said Mqadi.

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