The situation in KwaZulu-Natal is normalising and the port terminals are back in operation.
Maersk reached out to the South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents (SAASOA) to offer their support to the country and industry by offering free coastal feedering within South Africa (Cape Town and Port Elizabeth) to Durban (Maydon Wharf) for containerised humanitarian and food items to help provide relief in Durban, irrespective of operator of the container or merchant/ agency who want to ship it.
There are a few contingencies happening in some instances but with minimal impact on customers. “We are able to put all the export cargo onto one vessel and still get it on to destination on time,” notes Kerry Rosser, Maersk regional communications officer.
“Precool Cold Storage is fully operational with a day and a night shift and we are sharing regular updates with customers. The depots we control have increased the hours these are open to assist in clearing any backlogs and we have reduced tariffs for various surcharges and detention to assist customers.”
Maersk offers free depot storage and detention for the period of 12 to 25 July at their Durban and Johannesburg depots and extended export free time.