Port of Durban in South Africa, experienced an increase in its container, liquid bulk and dry bulk volumes during 2018, according to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) data. The volumes achieved are the highest volumes in the last seven years.
Specifically, container volumes in the Port of Durban rose by 9.5% to 2.95 million TEUs by the end of December 2018. In comparison, the port handled 2.69 TEUs in 2017.
In addition, in 2018, container volumes increased by 10%, while exports noted a rise by 17% as well.
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Dry bulk exports boosted dry bulk volumes by 5.8%, in comparison to the imports that remained stable. Rice and similar products as wheat, malt, fertiliser products, coal and coke experienced the biggest development, whereas maize, sugar and chrome ore exports also bolstered dry bulk volumes.
Also, liquid bulk volumes increased by 3.1% not only because of a great demand, but also because of South Africa being a net importer of crude.
Automotive imports increased by 4% and exports by more than 15% year-on-year, except transhipment and coastwise cargo.
Overall, the Port of Durban handled the total of 487.000 units in 2018, achieving the highest since 2013, when a throughput of 503.000 units was recorded.
Concluding, Nokuzola Nkowane, Port of Durban Acting Port Manager commented
The Port of Durban continues to work with terminal operators and other stakeholders to ensure improvements in terminal productivity levels for quicker ship turnaround times.
