The Port of Durban
To create a transformed and sustainable world-class ports system, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has launched its new operational model (OM) structure so that it may “stimulate a transformed maritime economy through adaptable infrastructure that is fit-for-purpose”.
The new OM seeks to “reposition South Africa in the global market and ensure growth and sustainability”. It also seeks to address customer needs, while facilitating trade on the African continent.
As part of the new OM, TNPA has reimagined its executive structure and will be placing 13 GMs to manage various aspects of the business. Nine of these have been appointed thus far, with the remaining four positions to be filled by March 31.
TNPA will now have a GM responsible for supply chain management, a responsibility previously allocated to the CFO, as well as three managing executives for the Eastern, Central and Western regions. Moshe Motlohi, Siyabulela Mhlaluka and advocate Phyllis Motšatši Difeto have been appointed to head up these three regions.
“Instead of having one CEO, we are now going to have three individuals who are seated at the ports and [who will be] able to strategically give guidance and support the port in doing what they are mandated to do in that region,” TNPA said during a virtual briefing on November 17.
In addition, the new OM also includes six focus areas that are receiving priority attention. These are improving terminal oversight; addressing backlogs and chronic historical underspending on capital infrastructure and maintenance; addressing port property vacancies; empowering its people; implementing a simplified and compliant supply chain management framework and introducing effective and efficient automated systems.
Further, with a changing global economy, increased competition on the African continent and crippling unemployment figures in the country, TNPA said it had “conducted some introspection” which led to an urgent review of its operations and identified various challenges.
These included rising customer dissatisfaction, declining port efficiency performance and volumes, inefficiencies and high costs of doing business, a failure to delivery capital projects on time, ageing fleet and infrastructure, and bureaucratic internal processes.
“We are going back to basics and moving closer to our customers and our people,” said TNPA corporate affairs and external relations executive manager Ayanda Mantshongo.
She added that, through the new OM, the reimagined TNPA will be “better positioned to deliver on its mandate to provide efficient and affordable ports that grow the economy”.
TNPA is aiming to ensure that customers will benefit from improved efficiencies and a lower cost of doing business, which it said would be achieved through simplified supply chain processes to deliver critical infrastructure and equipment that will capacitate service delivery.
The reimagined TNPA will also advance South Africa’s competitiveness in the global market and ensure growth and sustainability.