The port of East London has had a year of mixed fortunes. Addressing an East London IDZ end-of-the-year function recently, SA Port Operations (Sapo) manager, Pieter Klinkradt sketched some of the milestones during 2005, kicking off with the good news that the pride of the port, the car terminal, had retained its NOSA 5 Star rating. Overall the safety rating for Sapo's operational area achieved a 4 Star rating.

It was also pleasing that Sapo East London had successfully retained its ISO 9001/2000 accreditation. This meant that the processes and procedures applied at Sapo terminals in the port continued to meet the requirements of the International Standards Organisation.

"I believe we need to ensure that the terminals operate within a safe and regulated environment so that we can take care of the many people who pass through the working areas, while at the same time also taking care of cargo entrusted into our care," Klinkradt said. "I would also like to believe that these efforts, combined with the skills of the Sapo employees, explain why there are no cargo claims at East London."

On the subject of cargo movement, the port manager said there had been a definite upturn in maize exports - 409000 tons vs 149000 tons. "Unfortunately, however, we still never know from one season to the next whether sufficient quantities of grain will be moved through the EL facility to make this a viable operation."

A trial run with a parcel of rice processed through the elevator was successful and hopefully this would lead to further business in the commodity in the future.

The future of the grain elevator, however, remained a contentious issue against the backdrop of the ever-present grain-dust environmental problem.

While remaining a benchmark facility, there had been a drop in volumes handled by the car terminal.

The total number of vehicles to be handled this year (53530) was projected to be eight percent below last year's figure of 58428, but should nonetheless marginally exceed budget (52000). Compared to budget, the hike in volumes was attributed to an increase in imported vehicles.

Container volumes had similarly declined (52689) in comparison to the 2004/05 financial period when 64286 containers were handled. Klinkradt ascribed the decline to a drop-off in automotive sector requirements and changed sailing schedules.

"There have, however, been very positive inquiries for cement imports via EL, which should see break-bulk activities increase nicely," Klinkradt concluded.