A stronger Transnet

Transnet’s annual report said that its port terminals achieved revenue of R5.154bn (US$706.2m) for the year, EBITDA of R1.621bn with R2.368bn of capital expenditure. Of particular concern, however were the unacceptably poor levels of productivity and efficiency at Transnet’s container terminals as evidenced by container handling efficiencies not reaching targeted gross crane moves per hour (GCH).

To ensure significant turnaround in efficiency and productivity, a senior management team has been deployed to resolve performance issues. To date, there have been incremental improvements. For instance, during the recent three-week strike, some shifts at the Durban Container Terminal achieved record GCH levels. Until then, and during a greater part of the financial year, GCH averaged 22, “which is totally unacceptable when compared to the world-class standard of over 30 GCH. We will not rest until we have turned around the efficiency and productivity levels of all our container terminals – whatever it takes,” said Chris Wells, Transnet’s CEO.

A significant milestone achieved during the year was the completion and commissioning of the R4bn widening and deepening of the Durban Harbour entrance channel in February 2010 – ahead of schedule and under budget. The entrance was widened to 240 metres and dredged to a depth of -18 metres chart datum to enable the safe navigation of larger vessels. This development now makes it possible for vessels as large as 9,200 teu to enter the harbour.