The upgraded Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) has, for the first time, been named one of the world’s top 120 container ports by the 2013 Container Management Report, which rates international container ports based on terminal volumes and competitiveness.

This was largely on the back of increased trade with the Far East, which resulted in an upturn of 30% in terminal volumes at the CTCT compared with 2011.

The announcement came amid an ongoing R4.2-billion multiphased terminal upgrade programme, which has, thus far, increased the terminal’s current throughput to 853 399 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), but would, once complete, increase total capacity to 1.4-million TEUs.

The first of two phases of the upgrade has been concluded, which entailed the 10 m extension of the quay wall at a depth of 15.5 m over the full 1 137 m length of the quay and enabled the terminal to receive and service 8 000 TEU vessels.

Further investment in the CTCT has seen the acquisition of six new super post-panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes and the construction of 2 700 reefer plug points, resulting in a total of 3 752 points.

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) CE Karl Socikwa said it was a reassurance that the CTCT had joined the Durban Container Terminal in being named one of the world’s top container ports.

With a current throughput of 2.5-million TEUs, Durban was ranked slightly lower than last year owing to one berth being out of use as a result of construction.

“To qualify as one of the world’s top container ports is not only an honour but reassurance, as we continue to keep the wheels of our country’s economy rolling and, in the process, create much-needed employment,” he commented.

Socikwa added that it was pivotal to ensure an improvement in vessel turnaround and container dwell times in the yard across all ports, but particularly ahead of the upcoming reefer peak season in Cape Town, which starts in October.

“This is a particularly challenging period for CTCT as it coincides with the region’s windy season. However, for continued and improved operations, TPT has reviewed its operations during this period,” he said.

TPT Western Cape GM Velile Dube added that, by October, the number of waterside gangs would be increased to six in anticipation of the busy season.

“We have also looked at rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) limitations in conditions with wind speeds in excess of 80 km/h and have resolved that reach stackers will be used in RTG stacks when RTGs are wind bound,” he asserted.

In addition, six straddle carriers would be moved from Durban to Cape Town, while geared vessels would continue to be diverted to the Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) for servicing.

“The straddle carrier fleet would increase to 12, while joint planning between the CTCT and the Cape Town MPT would facilitate the diversion process,” Dube noted.