Cargo stats up as port engages city on growth
THE Port of Richards Bay’s cargo volumes increased to just over six million tonnes in May, up from 5.6 million tonnes recorded in April.
This is according to the latest statistics released by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), which recorded a total of 14.5 million tonnes of cargo handled at the country’s ports last month.
The cargo tonnage handled in Richards Bay is, however, a substantial decline compared to the 7.2 million tonnes shifted in May last year; and the 8.8 million tonnes during the same month in 2019.
Of the cargo volumes shifted, just over 5.6 million tonnes were dry bulk, 369 563 were liquid bulk volumes and 21 488 tonnes were breakbulk.
A total of 15x20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers were shipped at the local port while 113 vessel arrivals with a gross tonnage of 4 633 608.
Of the total vessel arrivals, 16 were tankers – 14 transporting chemicals and two for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The Port of Richards Bay is positioned as a strategic industrial port responsible for exporting commodities such as coal, chrome and magnetite.
It has also been identified as one of the three ports to support Transnet’s Liquified Natural Gas strategy.
These functions, as well as other infrastructural and developmental projects with reference to the overall Master Plan, were outlined during last week's meeting of the port’s leadership and a delegation from the City of Umhlathuze, led by Mayor, Xolani Ngwezi.
Also in attendance was Umhlathuze council speaker Tobias Gumede, acting Municipal Manager, Nkosenye Zulu, and
Deputy Municipal Manager, Thandiwe Mathebula.
Delegates were given an overview of port operations, as well as detailed progress on key capital projects at the port, and efforts to address the high rate of youth unemployment.
The session unpacked contingency plans by Transnet to resolve the influx of trucks coming into the port which have caused major traffic disruptions and backlogs on the city’s roads.
While the mayor commended the efforts by Transnet to curb youth unemployment in the city, he called for closer collaboration between the local port and city on youth development projects.
The session ended with a port tour on around the three precincts of the Port, the Bayvue, the South Dunes and the New Ark.