'Berth on arrival' a major feature at Ngqura

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has launched an aggressive marketing drive to attract traffic to the Port of Ngqura, which will begin operations in October this year. Nosipho Damasane, general manager: operations at South African Port Operations in the Eastern Cape says the marketing campaign focuses on two critical aspects of the port – its features and its service. She said the port would be aiming at the “transhipment” market, with onward transportation of containers by rail or sea. The 16.5m draught will enable it to accommodate new generation vessels of 8 000 to 9 000 TEUs. “One of the biggest selling points is berth on arrival,” says Damasane. “This means that ships will not have to wait for days before entering the harbour. It will save operators hundreds of thousands of rands.”