Port partnership may ease congestion

Congestion at SA's ports may be relieved through a partnership agreement between Barloworld and Transnet. Image: The LED Network

This problem‚ however‚ could be a thing of the past following Transnet Port Terminal's recent partnership with supply-chain solutions company Barloworld Logistics that is aimed at easing the congestion.

The aim of the partnership is to create a one-stop shop for customers in the commercial import and export business.

Earlier in February Transnet announced it would spend billions to upgrade and renovate the Durban harbour and‚ as a result‚ some shipments would be diverted to the Ngqura Container Terminal for a period of four months.

Transnet's Sne Makhanya said they had decided to partner with Barloworld Logistics as its experience in the field would help the parastatal handle and dispatch imported and exported goods with ease.

She said the deal would later be extended nationally. "We are doing this to make it easy for our clients to trace and locate their goods every step of the way."

Transnet Port Terminal's chief executive Karl Socikwa said capacity-creation projects were under way across various Transnet Port Terminal sites ahead of the expected rise in imports and exports‚ which needed to be handled as efficiently as possible.

The company said it realises must be competitive. "Any business not innovating at a time when the economy offers no stable solutions will not survive. Transnet Port Terminal is building a legacy and ensuring the company's future with the approaches we are taking in the next six years‚" said Socikwa.

His sentiments were echoed by Barloworld Logistics's chief executive Steve Ford.

"Partnering with Transnet Port Terminal is an important step for both our businesses‚ enabling us to offer our clients more holistic‚ integrated and competitive supply-chain solutions.

This is the first of many exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the team‚" he said.