Dear Colleagues
It certainly is Good New Friday and want to share this incredible photo (with the compliments of FPT) of the Queen Mary2 at our cruise terminal on Monday.
For us seafaring folk, this stirs all the senses, and you may be aware that the PoCT is one of the only ports globally where, on her world cruise, she stays overnight, this being at the specific request of her passengers.
This photo also brings to light the importance of the cruise industry to our economy and as the capacity of the cruise terminal is limited, this is something that needs to be addressed with a matter of urgency.
Cruise ships are already bypassing Cape Town due to berthing constraints at the terminal, losses to the economy and to our global status which we’ve worked hard to achieve and cannot forfeit the goodwill that has been established.
We’ve also heard the good news that the potential hosting of Olympic Games 2036 is moving forward and SASCOC will be making a formal presentation to the IOC in Lausanne in June – this would be a 1st for our continent and will be a catalyst for growth.
As EWC we are 100% supportive of SA (Cape Town?) hosting the Olympics as in 1997 we lost out to Athens to hosting the 2004 Olympic, so we are hungry for the Olympics – look what we did with 2010 World Cup!
Now back to the PoCT stats for week 06 -12 April as follows:
• CTCT : 18307 TEU handled 14845 TEU target; 16 GCH target 22; 31.7 SWH target 38;32% night shift moves;68% day shift; 32% stack occupancy 748 Rail moves
• CTMPT : 717 TEU Handled 1500 target; 10 GCH target 16 ; 10 SWH target 19 ; Terminal manager not present at meeting to quantify these figures
• FPT: Berth Occupancy 80%; 8 Vessels handled; 3 Multi cargo; 2 containers; 1 Dry Bulk; 1 Breakbulk; 1 cement ; 1226 TEU Handled, 11044.31 MT Dry Bulk; B/B Cement : 10638 MT; B/B General Cargo 21103.59 MNT; 4268 Paller fruit
• Fruit :25/26 season 44234 FFE handled increase of 1% from 24/25 season – Mid East still a concern, hopefully resolved prior to peak citrus season; USA/Canada market down 36% compared to 24/25 season
NB : Today is last day is RSVP for our Tuesday event with shipping stalwart Brian Ingpen and Louis Niemand, Investment Director of Ninety -One, please RSVP Now.
We will be hosting Minister Barbara Creecy soon and just waiting for confirmed date!
Have a relaxing weekend and hopefully we receive the promised rain.
Sincerely, yours in exporting
Terry
