State-owned Transnet and its subsidiary organisations are engaging weekly with various fruit industry organisations, namely Hortgro, the South African Table Grape Industry and the Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum, at a strategic and operational level to exchange information on expected fruit flows and the status of Port of Cape Town operations throughout the season.
Industry also agreed to investigate mechanisms to contract and second maintenance capacity, including mechanics and millwrights, to port operations, and to investigate ways to fast-track the procurement of key pieces of equipment that are urgently required.
The cost and contractual arrangements for Transnet to use and reimburse such procured equipment still need to be resolved, Transnet and the industry bodies said in a joint statement.
"The deciduous fruit industry is concerned about the physical flow of product through the Port of Cape Town in the coming season at the most recent engagement. Transnet management committed to better planning, sourcing additional equipment, on-site maintenance capacity and increasing availability of spares.
"We are hopeful that these interventions and plans will make a difference in the coming months and that we will experience logistical improvements," the parties said.