By: Creamer media

The State-owned logistics company increased the number of cranes and workers deployed at the port after more than 200 operational hours were lost due to winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour) during the last two weeks that’s left 12 vessels waiting at anchor, it said in a statement. Cargo handling is only safe in winds up to 80 kph.

The extreme conditions have disrupted loadings at the terminal in the midst of broader efforts by Transnet to turn the business around. The rail-and-port operator has implemented a program to improve the amount of freight it handles involving private companies and upgrading old equipment. That’s meant to curb the losses suffered by South Africa’s economy due to hampered mineral exports and ships waiting to unload.

The Cape Town terminal, which was ranked last in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index 2023, is in the peak of its deciduous fruit season, which runs from November to March.

The wind is forecast to escalate through Friday, Transnet said. Oscar Borchards, Transnet’s acting managing executive for terminals in the Western Cape province, described a plan in June to increase capacity with new equipment that can operate at higher wind speeds.

For now, Transnet is deploying workers who are off duty to clear the backlog of shipments. “Some have been called from leave and all internal meetings have been canceled to ensure everyone is on the ground,” Borchards said in the statement.