GOOD NEWS FRIDAY – 13th September 2024

Thank you to our esteemed members who attended EWC 45th AGM on Wednesday,  followed by one of the best proponents of Brand South Africa, Nick Dreyer of Veldskoene....

Thank you to our esteemed members who attended EWC 45th AGM on Wednesday,  followed by one of the best proponents of Brand South Africa, Nick Dreyer of Veldskoene.

For those who were not able to attend, you really missed out a very special evening, not many have the loyalty, dedication of Nick and a great provider of employment as each shoe takes 100 persons to be manufactured.

Everything is locally sourced and this one of many reasons why exports is so important to our economy.

This is just the start of what will be, I am sure, a phenomenal 46th year for EWC, watch this space!

Along the quayside, the MSC Antonia, the distressed vessel at 601 has evacuated 164 containers (as of 11th) and is still planned to depart Cape Town on Monday, 16th.

Cognisance must be taken of the PoCT in providing an available berth at CTCT for this work to be carried out, reiterating the importance of the Cape sea route and the role we play in Global trade.

Never underestimate us!  We are even working through the shortage of MT 40ft containers, as difficult and frustrating as it is!

Back to our terminals:

We almost reached a world record for the shortest export and notification of firm stacks on the Maersk Newark on Saturday,7th,  when we were notified of firm stacks at 1345 Friday 6th, opening 0600 Saturday closing 0600 Sunday, 8th.

This in a time of lack of availability of 40tt MT containers! However, thanks to our resilience,  70 of our exporters came to the fore and said vessel departed CTMPT on time.

On that note, EWC is working with the terminals to ensure a minimum of 24 hours notification is required and has provided an online presentation to this affect at our weekly meetings.

Stats for week 02 – 08 September as follows:

• CTCT : 10472 TEU Handled 17067 target : 13 GCH, 30 SWH; 34.8 hours wind delay; 422 rail moves, 30% stack occupancy; 30%^ night shift utilisation, 602 & 604 operational due to distressed vessel at 601.
• CTMPT : 2239 TEU Handled 1078 target : 15 GCH 11 SWH; 31% Stack occupancy, 779 truck gate moves, 32 min TTAT
• FPT : 62% stack occupancy; 10 vessels handled: 3 Multi cargo, 2 container, 1 Breakbulk, 3 Dry Bulk, 1 Layby : 1181 TEU,  12341.08 MT Dry bulk, 1918 Pallets Fruit; 2317.15 MT B/B General Cargo
• Fruit : last 3 to 4 weeks of citrus, current at 6% above last year figures,
• Equipment : 8 STS operational, although periodic breakdown of LC4 & LC7; 25 RTGs in operation, CTMPT : only 2 straddle carriers available.

Until next time……