Severe operational disruptions at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) have emerged over the past few weeks due to extreme windy conditions. With wind speeds exceeding 100 km/h, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) disclosed they lost over 200 operational hours, significantly affecting productivity at the terminal.
According to TPT, at least 12 vessels were waiting at anchor as of last Wednesday, forcing the port to intensify its efforts to clear the backlog. They have recently increased their resources, deploying additional cranes and operational teams to handle the challenges posed by the adverse weather.
Oscar Borchards, the managing executive for TPT’s Western Cape Region, emphasized the terminal's commitment to restoring normal operations. "Weather affects our operations often, and we have resourced ourselves to be able to recover within acceptable times when it clears," he stated. TPT has added eight cranes and eight operational teams per shift, up from their usual seven, making it clear they are ramping up their efforts.
Despite the weather-related setbacks, Borchards reported improvements, noting the terminal handled 5% more volume in January 2024 compared to the previous year. He acknowledged, though, operational constraints remaining as the terminal cannot yet run at full capacity due to staffing issues. "We have had to bring in employees who are currently off duty to clear the backlog," he added, highlighting efforts to call back personnel from leave.
The port has been grappling with severe wind conditions for around two weeks, with sustained wind speeds recorded between 100 km/h and 120 km/h. These figures surpass the 80 km/h threshold considered safe for cargo handling, contributing directly to the delays experienced.
Lubabalo Kenana, acting senior planning manager at CTCT, indicated via communication leaked to Freight News, the recovery of clearing the anchorage should tentatively be completed by the beginning of March if weather conditions improve. He reported progress with the port managing to reduce the number of ships waiting at anchor from 12 to 10, and they had successfully berthed one vessel recently.
While there is cautious optimism about the situation improving, industry insiders remain skeptical about TPT’s ability to quickly recover from such weather disruptions. A freight industry executive expressed concerns, reminiscing about how the port previously set industry standards for resilience against weather-related challenges, saying, "We’ve always had wind and used to recover from gale-force stoppages a lot faster. Cape Town used to set the standard for bouncing back from heavy wind." This sentiment hints at frustration with what is perceived as insufficient preparedness and response capability.
TPT’s commitment to rectify the situation by operational increases, such as more personnel being deployed, is being put to the test as they navigate the current backlog. Borchards insisted all hands are on deck, explaining, "Some have been called from leave, and all internal meetings have been cancelled to make sure everyone is available on the ground." TPT has assured stakeholders they are closely monitoring operations on an hourly basis to gauge progress and effectiveness.
The timing of these delays could not be worse, as the terminal is currently at the peak of its deciduous fruit season, which runs from November to March. This period normally sees heightened activity and volume, underscoring the urgency of resolving the operational bottlenecks.
Looking forward, TPT has contracted original equipment manufacturers to be on standby to quickly address any machinery malfunctions when operations eventually ramp back up. Meanwhile, as they navigate through these disruptions, port authorities and stakeholders alike are watching closely as they address both immediate challenges and long-term improvements for the Cape Town Container Terminal.
The issue of operational efficacy amid extreme weather conditions is not new but is becoming even more pressing as global trade continues to rely on ports like CTCT. The recovery efforts and strategic responses being implemented by TPT could set the tone for how similar weather disruptions are handled moving forward.