In a significant move to address equipment availability at its terminals, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has concluded a seven-year agreement with four Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for the supply of critical spares for equipment across its terminals, including the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2.
This much-needed relief – which has been months in the making – will see an improvement of about 30% in straddle carrier availability within the next two weeks at DCT Pier 2, according to Earle Peters, the Managing Executive of TPT at the Durban Terminals.
Peters pointed out that the availability of straddle carriers, in particular, will boost the offloading of containers from vessels. With the recovery plan gaining traction, DCT Pier 2 has focused on increasing volumes handled per 24-hour period. Inclement weather, dredging by landlord Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and new vessel arrivals were an ongoing factor that the team has integrated into its plans.
“Working with shipping lines, we have also identified and prioritised vessels with cargo that needs to make its way to the front of the queue” said Peters, adding that employees had contributed immensely to the current momentum. The confinement agreements signed with the OEMs are aimed at reducing waiting times for critical spares of handling equipment like straddle carriers, ship-to-shore and rubber-tyred gantry cranes."
The process of developing a parts catalogue and aligning coding of materials on both OEM and TPT systems started this week and OEMs Kalmar, Liebherr, Kone Cranes and ZPMC have already started supplying spares. They are currently prioritising a three-month list of demand materials in the Container sector to ensure a bulk, uninterrupted supply.
According to Peters, TPT required about 8 000 different material items from each OEM across its four sectors containers, bulk, break bulk and automotive in its 16 sea-cargo terminals and three inland terminals.
For more information:
Mbali Mathenjwa
Transnet
Tel: +27 83 279 2651
Email: [email protected]
www.transnet.net