According to the 2007 Budget review, in the first nine months of 2006 the volume of exports rose 2,2% compared to the same period in 2005 and the value rose 20,9% (from 12%) because of price increases across all export categories.

Imports also posted strong gains, rising 14.2% in the first nine months of 2006 from 12,1% over the same period in 2005, and the value grew by 32,5% as a result of high oil prices.

The ports are the gateway for 90% of all trade in and out of South Africa and this year the shipping lines are noting a sharp increase in volumes, especially from the fruit and automotive industries.

This means more ships; a demand for more containers, now often the preferred means of carrying goods, even cars; greater competition; and better profits.
The key to fully laden ships is keeping customers happy, freight rates fair; and offering a reliable and fast service. Read more about this, and what's new, in the report on containerisation.

"Training and development," "job creation," "BBBEE" - you hear these words over and over but let it not be forgotten that it is the people you employ and work with that turn the ship around. This is why it was heart-warming to hear of an empowerment deal recently sealed between staff and a family which owns a well-established Cape Town business.
Compare this now to the Fidentia saga into which TETA poured, and has possibly lost, R250 million.

Surely it could have been better spent distributed to institutions which specialise in training South African seafarers?
One shipping line that generally maintains a low profile found itself in the media limelight recently when its ship, the MSC Napoli, bound for Cape Town, was deliberately grounded after developing struc-tural cracks in its hull. SA Shipping News approached the Durban head office for comment (twice) but at the time of going to press no official statement was forthcoming.

Sceptics will no doubt be adopting a wait and see attitude to the recent announcement of the revival of the Maputo Corridor rail service. Spoornet and its Mozambican partner, CFM, rolled out a number of sector specific strategies for rehabilitating the rail line while internationally recognised partners will be sought to help upgrade and improve port access to vessels.

This issue once again highlights the issue of safety in the workplace. Stevedores work at great risk but the good news is that new legislation is on its way.
SAMSA has also appointed a Stevedore Safety Specialist and this month is embarking on a countrywide road show to educate the industry about the perils of not using properly trained people. Read the article, in case you miss the road show you can request an in-house presentation.
By the way, port users should be preparing themselves for changes in the way they interact in the ports.

The legal word is that the new National Ports Act and Regulations will come into effect sooner rather than later. The Act was enacted in July 2005 and a draft of the Regulations was published for comment in November. Things are moving, albeit slowly!

To conclude, we would like to thank our advertisers for their support of this issue. Copies will be available at the Intermodal Conference and exhibition being held in Durban at the end of March and we hope to see you there too.

Editor

Cover Story

General cargo carrying has changed enormously. Containerisation now means much of it is protected by a box which is simply lifted off by a container crane. The box is not just a vehicle in which to carry goods, great emphasis is also placed on what cargo is being carried, the positioning of the box on board, and the air flow within and around a container to ensure the cargo arrives at its destination in a pristine condition.

Pictured on the cover is the Singaporean-flagged Kota Karim container ship spotted in Cape Town. Photo: A. Burt.