Application of a critical systems approach to understanding ship turnaround in the Port of Durban.
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Date
2012
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Abstract
Seaborne container shipping plays a major and important role in the world transportation
system and the global supply chain. Shipping lines have designed their product offering
to shippers around providing regular calls at designated ports. This works well for most
firms that operate on a just-in-time philosophy.
The real costs of trade – the transport and other costs of doing business internationally –
are important determinants of a country’s ability to participate fully in the world economy.
This is an important indicator for port performance in a globalised economy; therefore,
any inefficiency that increases costs must be addressed. This means that ports have to
ensure very high productivity and efficiency levels so that ships have a quick turnaround.
Clark et al., (2002) conclude that a 50% improvement in port efficiency can reduce
shipping costs by about 12%.
The general question that is studied in this research is: How can the Marine Services
within the Port of Durban assist in reducing ship turnaround times? This study seeks to
determine what role the marine services plays in ship turnaround. The analysis in this
study will be to determine the source of delays and ways to improve on efficiency. The
resultant improvement in efficiency should lead to a possible reduction in shipping costs.
The Market Demand Strategy employed by Transnet in 2012 must be implemented in
such a manner that it must not only address the current infrastructural backlogs but it
must also endeavour to alleviate several logistic chain bottlenecks that tend to constrain
the economy.
When analysing 2010-2011 a worrying trend emerges that the average waiting times for
ships at anchor has increased significantly and the time on the berth has also increased
significantly despite a reduction in the number of ships calling to the port. This is partly
due to the fact that much larger ships now arriving at the port and more crucially are
working a larger number of containers per port call. However, there is still concern about
the operational efficiency of the terminals in the port (Pier One and Durban Container
Terminal). The Marine Operations service times have also increased marginally 1.23%
(0.98 hours) but this is due to longer time required for berthing and sailing of larger ships.
This study has clearly shown that the Marine Operations within the Port of Durban do not
significantly impact on overall ship turnaround time. However, there are areas of
improvement that can be implemented to ensure high service levels within the port. By
increasing the tug fleet and ensuring adequate human resources, the service offering
can immediately be improved. Extremely lengthy anchorage waiting times and high berth
occupancy impact negatively on ship-owners, shippers, and the economy at large. The
Port Authority must interrogate these areas to understand clearly what is driving these
extended times and determine strategies and performance measures to mitigate these.
Description
Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
Keywords
Container terminals--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Business logistics--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Shipment of goods--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Harbours--Management., Marine terminals--Management., Durban Harbour (KwaZulu-Natal), Theses--Leadership and management.