Cyclone/Tropical storm Eloise which hit Beira in Mozambique late January has reportedly caused severe damage in South Africa as well.
As a result of this several port operations in South Africa has been hampered. Richards Bay Terminal operated by Transnet Port Terminals has declared Force Majeure due to same.
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is one of six operating divisions of Transnet SOC Ltd. The National Ports Authority is responsible for the safe, effective and efficient economic functioning of the national port system, which it manages in a landlord capacity.
It provides port infrastructure and marine services at the eight commercial seaports in South Africa – Richards Bay, Durban, Saldanha, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay and Ngqura. It operates within a legislative and regulatory environment and is governed by the National Ports Act (Act No. 12 of 2005).
As part of Transnet SOC Ltd’s (“Transnet”) ongoing cost-saving and efficiency initiatives, the National Ports Authority (TNPA) is consolidating its various corporate offices -currently split between Johannesburg and Durban – into one – at the eMendi administration building, Port of Ngqura in Port Elizabeth.
As has been covered across various articles on this site, the process of hazardous cargo approval, acceptance and shipment is quite complex and ALL stakeholders involved in the shipment of this highly specialised cargo must be fully aware of the requirements..
This cannot be repeated enough..
From pre-shipment approval, approval of shipment, movement to port of load, loading on board, precautions while at sea, discharge at destination, movement to place of delivery, every process required to be followed by the IMDG Code must be followed at all times..
Seemingly there are several cases of non-compliance and non-adherence in this regard, based on which, Transnet, the State Owned Enterprise in South Africa responsible for all port operations has amended its Handling and Transport of Dangerous Cargoes National Procedures..
In its announcement of measures for the COVID-19 lockdown, Transnet, the parastatal responsible for the operations of the ports and terminals in South Africa finalised and announced a series of measures to ensure throughput of essential services in line with the Maritime Security Regulations and Directives..
As part of these directives, only essential cargoes were allowed to be moved as directed by the Government.. On the 2nd of April 2020, these regulations were amended to allow the movement of non-essential goods as well..
Transnet has accordingly revised its operational measures and issued communication relating to the movement of non-essential goods..
As of midnight of the 26th of March 2020, South Africa’s coronavirus COVID-19 figure was 927 confirmed cases with no casualties..
Today, 27th March 2020 is Day 1 of the 21 day State lockdown announced by President Mr.Cyril Ramaphosa on the 23rd March in order to contain the spread of the virus..
As part of this lockdown, Transnet has finalised and announced a series of measures to ensure throughput of essential services in line with the Maritime Security Regulations and Directives..
Here is what they had to say..
Transnet National Ports Authority is responsible for the management of the 8 commercial ports in South Africa and we value our employees, stakeholders and port users. It is important for us to review the risks and address any gaps, in preventing the spread of the disease.
Due to the risks this global pandemic poses, and the rapid increase of cases in South Africa, Transnet National Ports Authority(TNPA) has implemented additional measures to regulations published by the Department of Transport and the directives from the Department of Health which became effective from 18 March 2020.
The President has declared the outbreak of the Coronavirus in South Africa as a National State of Disaster.
Here is the latest update on COVID-19 posted by the office of the Chief Harbour Master – Transnet National Ports Authority..
Further to previous articles on COVID-19, herewith an update from Transnet National Ports Authority in South Africa relating to COVID-19 and impact on port operations in South Africa..
Transnet has released information relating to mitigating measures put in place in reponse to the Corona virus COVID-19..
On Sunday the 15th March, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa announced a ‘national state of disaster’ to enable the government to introduce measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 within South Africa..
Below is the gist of the measures now in place in South Africa..
[Durban, South Africa, 31 August 2019] Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) two new port helicopters, manufactured by Italian global high-tech company, Leonardo, went into service on Saturday, 31 August 2019 at the Ports of Durban and Richards Bay.
An anti-apartheid artwork featuring the military vehicle Casspir was shipped from South Africa and United States as part of The Casspir Project.. Here is the news item from Transnet regarding this project..
The Casspir was synonymous with the heavy hand of apartheid oppression in the townships and urban areas of South Africa.. While designed originally as a military vehicle, it was used extensively against civilian populations in the 1980’s..
Please see below information from Transnet about containers blown into Durban harbour.. High winds blow empty containers into Durban harbour but port still open [Durban, South Africa, 13/12/2014] High winds … Read more here..
What is the difference between Cargo Dues, Tonnage Dues and Port Dues..?? Cargo Dues – abbreviated to read CD – (also known as Wharfage in some countries) is a fee … Read more here..
Hi all, one of the questions that was raised to me by one of the readers of the blog was as below.. I thought i would respond to this as a … Read more here..
The Basics of Shipping