The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has launched an investigation into the cause of trucking congestion outside the Port of Durban on Bayhead Road. The issue was briefly mentioned during the TNPA's presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Transport. Reports on social media highlight the long queues of trucks along various roads in Durban, including Umbilo Road, Sydney Road, South Coast Junction, and Solomon Mahlangu Drive.
TNPA Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Abdool, outlined several challenges facing the authority, including ageing infrastructure and outdated equipment, persistent congestion, and poor efficiency. He also cited larger vessels exceeding port limits and weak hinterland and rail connectivity as major concerns. Abdool mentioned that TNPA has resource constraints regarding critical spares and supply chain delays, which exacerbate the problems.
The TNPA is addressing marine service delays at the Durban Gateway Terminal (DGT), with plans to invest in new ship-to-shore cranes and straddle cranes. Abdool discussed the authority's Reinvent for Growth (R4G) strategy, aimed at fixing and optimising the TNPA business, restoring operational excellence, and enhancing port efficiency. The strategy includes improving vessel turnaround performance and reducing logistics costs.
As part of its plans to enhance port efficiency, TNPA is deepening berths in the Durban Container Terminal to accommodate deep draft vessels. The authority also aims to increase the capacity of the Cape Town Container Terminal to 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). Additionally, TNPA plans to replace dry dock Jib cranes in Durban, East London, and Cape Town, and operationalise the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal.
According to TNPA statistics, ship turnaround times at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 1 averaged 61 hours, while DCT Pier 2 averaged 99 hours until July 2026. Abdool attributed the delays to weather-related stoppages, equipment breakdowns, and reduced crane deployment. He also noted that the Gateway Terminal (DGT) Pier 2 experienced equipment failures, reduced crane availability, and faulty reefers.
Weather conditions remain a significant challenge for port operations, accounting for the majority of delays across six of the eight ports. Durban requires immediate intervention, with marine services accounting for 16% of delayed movements and the lowest On-Time Pickup. Despite these challenges, Richards Bay, Cape Town, and Saldanha Bay maintained strong service reliability, according to Abdool.
The Durban Metro Police are dealing with the congestion matter on a daily basis, with spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu promising a more detailed operational response from regional teams soon. The TNPA's efforts to address the congestion and equipment failures aim to improve port efficiency and reduce logistics costs, ultimately benefiting the economy.
Key points
- TNPA cites ageing infrastructure and equipment failures as major causes of trucking congestion outside the Port of Durban.
- The authority plans to invest in new cranes and deepen berths to enhance port efficiency.
- Weather conditions remain a primary systemic risk, accounting for the majority of delays across six of the eight ports.
