Noting rising fuel prices and traffic congestion at Durban harbour that will be exacerbated in the near future by port construction, the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) of SA is again urging its growers in northern areas to use Maputo. However, to utilise Maputo, citrus product movers will have to leave the comfort zone of containerised transport and return to the days of bulk shipping. “The industry is targeting container shipping to reduce the total cost of logistics without exploring other vital options,” said CGA CEO Justin Chadwick in a report to growers. Container shipping, especially to the UK and Europe, is not available at Maputo for high citrus volumes. “Breakbulk shipping through Maputo works well and growers who transported to Maputo (in 2011) said it worked just as well — but be sure to pre-clear the trucks at the borders. The conclusion was reached that Maputo could and should be used as an ambient port, and that growers could save hugely on transport and port costs by trying this. Could Maputo not be an option to ship the vast amount of grapefruit that is grown just across the border, to Japan?” Chadwick posited to growers. A CGA study by logistics development manager Mitchell Brooke last year put Maputo 450 km closer to SA’s northern citrus growers than Durban. Road seems the only option for citrus transporters at present. “Rail, or more specifically the incumbents of the service, are failing to respond to concerns raised with them, mostly to alleviate rising transport costs,” Chadwick reported. Another factor, Chadwick told growers, is that “the construction and development in the Durban port will add to the challenges of shipping through Durban next year and the year after, so using Maputo port must be considered as an option.” (in Freight & Trade Weekly – 27 Jan 2012)
