A R20 million investment is set to boost the port's auto capacity.

Investor confidence in the Eastern Cape is growing, with millions of rands in investment flowing into the province.

This is evident in the many major retail and commercial developments that are either already under way or in the planning stages.

Jacqueline Brown, Transnet National Ports Authority port manager for East London, said the port saw itself as a partner in this economic growth.

The motor vehicle terminal has a loading rate of 115 cars per hour and often exceeds this target. Cement discharge rates have also exceeded 5000 tons per 12-hour shift, resulting in remarkable turnaround times for ships, Brown said.

"This year the port has recorded one of its more remarkable years to date. The success was largely due to an increase in volumes, higher levels of productivity whilst simultaneously driving down operational costs," she said.

Although the majority of fully built units and containers service the automotive and manufacturing industries, the port handles various other cargoes, including cement and timber for the construction industry, grain products and cattle in the agricultural industry, ship repair, scrap metals and a number of cruise liners.

With the grain elevator boasting a storage capacity of 76 000 tons, the port is once again playing a major role in the maize export programme. In terms of new developments, a 1 000-bay open-parking facility is being built adjacent to the existing car terminal.

This R20-million project will boost the port's total vehicle holding capacity to almost 5000 bays.

"The expansion gives us the capacity we need to be viable in the market, and to compete more effectively for increased traffic and cargo volumes," said Brown.

And while new projects position the port for future growth, maintenance of infrastructure and port draft levels are of critical importance, with R33-million allocated to the depth-management programme.

Since April, R18-million has been spent on keeping the depth at 10.4m, ensuring safe navigation. The port is operating at about 60% of capacity.

"The goal is to create freight transport capacity at a lower cost through supply chain integration and connecting South Africa to the global economy effectively and efficiently," Brown said.