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Limited Operations at Port of Port Elizabeth

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Keeping the wheels of Import / Export Turning in Algoa Bay

On Tuesday, 2 April 2020, an updated proclamation was issued by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Government Notice Number 446, updating the regulation published by Government Notice No. 318 of 18 March 2020, as amended by Government Notice No. R.398 of 25 March 2020 and R.415 of 26 March 2020).

The following sections have been highlighted and emphasised:

  • Page 4: Amendment of regulation 11B of the Regulations the substitution for paragraph (a) of the subregulaton (1) of the following paragraph: “(a) For the period of lockdown (iii) movement between provinces and between metropolitan and district areas is prohibited except- (bb) transportation of cargo from ports of entry to their intended destination, on condition that necessary precautions have been taken to sanitise and disinfect such cargo;”
  • Page 12: “Amendments of Annexure B to the Regulations the substitution for paragraph 28 of Part B of the following paragraph: “28. Transport and logistics in respect of cargo and goods as set out in Part A to neighbouring countries;”

The Port of Port Elizabeth has assessed the nature of its business and has aligned to the amended regulations accordingly. All cargo types shall be handled in the Port of Port Elizabeth (both essential and non-essential cargo). With this said, the Port shall continue to operate at a lower scale in as far as berth operations are concerned.

In response to the Nationwide COVID- 19 Lockdown, the Port of Port Elizabeth shall operate under the Harbour Master’s Instruction and Berthing Guidelines, which are summarised below:

The COVID- 19 Regulations necessitates that preference be afforded to the movement of essential goods, and in alignment thereto the Port of Port Elizabeth has formulated the following berthing guidelines which will be effective immediately and shall apply during the lockdown.

1. As a general guide, preferential berthing will be afforded to all Container Vessels.

2. Container Vessels will therefore be afforded preference ahead of Manganese Vessels and all other Vessels irrespective of the “first come first serve” principle and IPMS Booking System, at the Container Terminal Berths (PECT) as well as at the RoRo Berth, and MPT Berths. This is on condition that these Container Vessels can be safely worked at these berths and that there are no draft or any other limitations and / or restrictions.

3. Shipping & Cargo flows will be prioritized as follows: Container Vessels, Tanker Vessels, Vessels handling Agricultural Products, RORO Vessels, Manganese Vessel (Bulk), MultiPurpose Terminal Vessels, and Other Vessels (e.g. Bunkers, Repairs, Tugs, Research, etc).

4. These guidelines shall apply for the duration of the COVID 19 lockdown and any changes and / or deviations therefrom shall only be permitted by the Port of Port Elizabeth Harbour Master.

During the COVID- 19 lockdown the Port of Port Elizabeth shall, in consultation with, and confirmation from all the relevant port operators, offer the following service levels:

1. Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) will operate as normal on a 24/7 basis.

2. Pilotage: 1 Pilot Boat and 1 Pilot will be available when shipping demands these services.

3. Tugs: 2 tugs will be available when shipping and operations demands a service. In cases where there are no confirmed shipping movements only 1 fully manned Tug will be on standby on a 24/7 basis.

4. Berthing: 1 gang will be available when shipping and operations demands a service.

5. Port Elizabeth Container Terminal (PECT) – Limited Operations over the 2 berths.

6. Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) – Limited Operations across 4 berths.

7. Bulk Ore Terminal (BOT) – this terminal is operating at a 60% effective level over the 1 berth with 2 day shifts and no night shift.

8. Liquid Bulk Tanker Berth – this facility continues to operate as normal for all liquid bulk products.

9. Automotive Terminal (RORO) – Limited Operations across 1 Berth.

10. Bunkering, Repairs and Off Port Limit Operations – Normal Operations except that no crew changes are allowed.

11. Slipway / Boat Hoist: will be available as and when required.

12. Port Infrastructure Maintenance call outs will operate as normal on a 24/7 basis.

All Service providers should arrange their own Permits to Perform Essential Service (as encapsulated in Regulation 11B (3)). When entering the TNPA Port of Port Elizabeth and its facilities, Port Users will be required to present this permit as well as their TNPA Port access card and/or their South African Identity Document.

Please be reminded that the TNPA Port of Port Elizabeth has formulated and implemented two sets of minimum requirements (i.e. “landside” cargo operations and “waterside” vessel operations) to operate in the Port of Port Elizabeth during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

“The TNPA Port of Port Elizabeth will continue to work closely with all key stakeholders to ensure that it fulfils its mandate of being a critical node for the transportation of import and export goods and all other essential port services. We shall endeavour to keep you updated at all times and we wish to sincerely thank you for your collaboration, support and assistance, during these challenging times,” said Rajesh Dana the Port Manager: Port of Port Elizabeth.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.