Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) inaugural Port of Durban Customer Awards acknowledged outstanding terminal operators for their role in the success of South Africa’s busiest commercial seaport.

Licenced operators were adjudicated in the categories of Best Safety Performer, SHE Compliance, Transformation, Best Performing Terminal Operator, Best Performing Ship Repairer, as well as Best Performing Shipping Line and Most Improved Shipping Lines.

Durban Port Manager Moshe Motlohi said the new awards were important in recognising operators’ compliance with stringent operating standards set by the authority.

“The strength of our relationships with our licenced terminal operators is central to TNPA’s role as a self-regulating authority that is mandated to execute operational oversight and monitor compliance in the ports,” said Motlohi.

To improve port efficiency through increased productivity and operations oversight TNPA has rolled out Terminal Operator Performance Standards (TOPS) across its ports over the past three years as part of its licencing conditions.

The winners at the Port of Durban Customer Awards were:

 Best Safety Performer Award

(recognising the highest standards of safety through adherence to reporting requirements as per licence, quality of reporting and implementation of corrective action)

Winner (Container Precinct):  Transnet Port Terminals – Pier 1

Winner (Island View Precinct):  Bidvest Tank Terminals

Winner (Maydon Wharf Precinct): Bidfreight Port Operations

Winner (Point Precinct): FPT

SHE Compliance Award

(Recognising the highest safety, health and environmental standards judged on audit reports)

Winner (Container Precinct):  Transnet Port Terminals – Pier 1

Winner (Island View Precinct):  SAPREF

Winner (Maydon Wharf Precinct): Bidfreight Port Operations

Winner (Point Precinct): FPT

Transformation Award

(recognising the biggest transformation improvements and commitment to BBBEE, including skills development and gender equality)

Winner: Veetech Oils now trading as Thebe Unico

Best Performing Terminal Award

(based on the volume growth percentage per licence)

Unfortunately no terminal had achieved a positive volume growth rate in the Container Precinct.

Winner (Island View Precinct): Chevron

Winner (Maydon Wharf Precinct): Grindrod Terminals Durban – Shadwell Road

Winner (Point Precinct): FPT

Best Performing Ship Repairer Award

(applicable to repairers based in the Bayhead Precinct, and judged in terms of safety record, investment, job creation and skills development)

Winner: Dormac Marine & Engineering

Best Performing Shipping Line

(based on volume growth as a percentage in two key sectors,  Containers and Automotive)

Winner – Containers: Maersk Line

Winner – Automotive: Hoegh Autoliners

Most Improved Shipping Line

(based on volume growth as a percentage in two key sectors,  Containers and Automotive)

Winner – Containers: CMA CGM

Winner – Automotive: K-Line

Motlohi said the categorisation per precinct was in line with the port’s new approach of segmenting specific areas of the port according to commodity and category of clients served. The Container Precinct handles containerised cargo predominantly at Durban Container Terminal Pier 1 and Pier 2, the Island View Precinct serves the liquid bulk sector, the Maydon Wharf Precinct handles dry bulk cargo and the Point Precinct caters for automotive and breakbulk cargo.

He said Marine Operations Standards (MOPS) have also been issued at all ports. TNPA’s next focus will be on the roll-out of Rail Operator Standards (ROPS) piloting at the Port of Durban as well as Hauler Operator Standards (HOPS).

The ‘The Great Gatsby’ themed awards event was held at the Durban International Convention Centre on Thursday, 25 August.