Richard Bay port stats for May
OUT of a total of 16.1 million tons of cargo handled at the country’s ports in May, Richards Bay handled the highest volume, with 7.1 million tons shifted.
This is according to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) which records activity at South Africa’s eight ports.
In Richards Bay, the total tonnage moved is a decline compared to the 8.8 million tons handled during the same period last year, but a substantial increase compared to the 5.3 million tons handled in April this year.
Last month, 6.6 million tons were exports, excluding vehicles.
The latest statistics come as the country eases Covid-19 lockdown restrictions for economic recovery.
Richards Bay also handled 1 016 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers, 489 of which landed at the port and 527 shipped.
Of the 139 vessel arrivals with a gross tonnage of 5.3 million, six vessels moved general cargo, 16 were tankers transporting oil, chemicals and liquefied petroleum gas, and one a passenger vessel.
Although passenger vessels have been prohibited port entry amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the vessel which docked at the local port last month had requested permission to refuel and receive stores.
The vessel, MS Le Bougainville, had no passengers on board but only a crew of 78 who did not disembark.
She arrived at Richards
Bay anchorage on 14 May from the Seychelles and docked on 19 May following a 14-day period at sea in line with Covid-19 quarantine regulations.