Assessing the media perspective on container terminal turnaround time: lessons for the Port of Durban.

Abstract

The primary goal of this research was to assess the media perspective on container terminal turnaround time of the Port of Durban. Furthermore, it sought to assess how the Port of Durban conforms with media perspectives on similar economically-related ports and leading global ports in terms of productivity. The study adopted a qualitative research paradigm employing secondary source data. The information data for the research was drawn from 76 online news articles. The study sought to describe the concept of container terminal turnaround time within the selected seaports. The articles used in the study ranged from 2009 to 2019 making a total of 76 articles. The study enabled the researcher to track how the media portrayed the turnaround performance of these seaports over the years. The study also looked at measures put in place in these container terminals to reduce turnaround time and to promote productivity over the years. The study adopted a thematic analysis (TA) approach to determine the key indicators, factors or features that described the concepts of container terminal turnaround time (productivity) as described by the print media. Findings from the study revealed that container terminals are becoming increasingly inclined towards the use of smart solutions that could help to optimise turnaround time, propagate performance and decrease shipping costs – all without requiring substantial infrastructure and equipment expenditures. It was further determined that container terminal turnaround time Performance cannot be judged just on the basis of a single value or measure. The study concluded that Before South Africa's largest freight gateway is completely operational at an international turnaround time standard, there is still a long way to go.