Ageing infrastructure hampers port activities
CARGO tonnage handled at the Port of Richards Bay continues to decline, coming down from 7.6 million tonnes in January to 6.4 million last month.
This is according to the latest statistics released by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), which records movement at the country’s eight sea ports.
The tonnes shifted in March show a slight decrease compared to the 6.8 million recorded in February and a significant decrease compared to the 8.4 million tonnes handled in March last year.
Of the cargo volumes handled last month, 6.3 million tonnes were dry bulk, 136 059 liquid bulk and 19 938 breakbulk.
The local port has the largest dry bulk terminal in the country.
According to Transnet's financial results released last September, the Richards Bay dry bulk terminal’s loading rate declined from 880 tonnes per hour in 2020 to 701 tonnes per hour in 2021.
The discharge (off-loading) rate declined from 404 tonnes per hour in 2020 to 320 tonnes per hour last year.
The State-owned entity said the port was 'plagued by poor reliability of ageing equipment'.
'However, this is being addressed through a full conditional assessment of the plant which will inform the immediate focus areas and ongoing maintenance requirements to ensure plant sustainability,' Transnet said.
Of the 105 vessel arrivals at the port last month, with a gross tonnage of 4 803 242, eleven were tankers carrying chemicals.
One passenger vessel docked at the port, the first cruise liner to call in at Richards Bay following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.