The Danish shipping carrier Maersk has announced several Durban port omissions due to the recent challenging situation in South Africa’s city caused by heavy rainfalls and flooding.
Maersk has decided to omit Durban on Maira XL 221N, which is deployed on SAECS service, and discharge Durban imports at Port Elizabeth, another major port in South Africa.
The company also announced the omission of the port of Durban by Maersk Pangani 213E, deployed on MESAWA service. Durban imports will also be unloaded at Port Elizabeth.
“Customers can choose to take delivery of their cargo in PORT ELIZABETH or utilise the transshipment solution back to Durban,” noted Maersk.
In the meantime, landside operations outside the terminal gates remain severely constrained and there has been no improvement regarding access to the terminal, while Durban terminals’ waterside operations continue normally and there is improving gang availability and productivity, according to Maersk’s latest update.
Regarding the rail and the road connection with the terminal, Maersk has confirmed that there will not be any solution over the weekend, while there will be no movement by road and rail into and out of the terminals.
South Africa’s port operator Transnet said in its latest update that it has made progress in identifying alternative access routes for trucks destined to container terminals and the liquid bulk terminals at Island View.
Contractor on site at Bayhead Road – road leading up the container terminal and island view precinct- in efforts to restore the wash away that led to the closure of road. Alternative access roads to the precincts have been identified. #KZNFloods #senzakwenzeke #bayheadroad pic.twitter.com/t2R1cP3RJM
— Transnet NPA (@TransnetNPA) April 15, 2022
Transnet stated, “Subsequent to assessments of the damage, the Port of Durban has appointed contractors to commence with the engineering works to restore Bayhead Road and allow contraflowing traffic on two outbound lanes. Contractors are expected to work throughout the weekend on repair work of the washed away area on Bayhead Road. There is rain forecast for eThekwini over the weekend, which could impact the conclusion of the work.”
Meanwhile, Transnet, which runs the Durban port, has also confirmed that shipping has resumed and as of 14:00 on 14 April, the Port of Durban had done 10 of the 11 planned vessel movements.
Additionally, Transnet National Ports Authority has announced that clean-up operations at the port are currently underway “to ensure safe navigation of vessels while also protecting the marine life”.
Clean up operations at the Port of Durban currently underway to ensure safe navigation of vessels while also protecting the marine life. #SenzaKwenzeke #KZNFloods #PortofDurban pic.twitter.com/E5YVSpashS
— Transnet NPA (@TransnetNPA) April 15, 2022
