Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has activated its disaster management plan following the recent heavy rains and flooding that have impacted terminal operations at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT), as well as at the Durban and Richards Bay bulk, breakbulk and car terminals.
Despite earlier disruptions, landside operations at DCT Pier 2 have resumed, while DCT Pier 1 is currently on standby with the plan to resume operations on Wednesday afternoon.
Waterside operations are expected to also resume on Wednesday afternoon.
TPT on Wednesday morning said that it was expecting berthing delays, although the impact does not warrant any planning for diversions.
Meanwhile, Transnet Freight Rail’s train service on the Natcor line has been temporarily suspended owing to obstruction to the railway tracks.
The affected sections and yards include the Durban main line to Pietermaritzburg, the South Coast line to Port Shepstone, the North Coast line to Empangeni, the Bayhead Yard and the Kingsrest Yard.
The Transnet National Ports Authority, meanwhile, continues to monitor shipping closely.
All tugs are currently operational.
While not impacting on operations, a major clean-up has begun to remove debris from the Durban port.
Assessments to establish the full extent of damage caused by the storm are currently being conducted by all Transnet operating divisions.