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Durban's air cargo volumes rising despite SA economic woes

Durban's air cargo volumes rising despite SA economic woes

Date: 2019-10-25

An exponential rise in air cargo volumes through the Dube TradePort Cargo Terminal is a clear indication that the commercial case for airfreighting cargo from Durban is changing, says Ricardo Isaac Manager Dube TradePort Cargo Terminal.

Five years ago a study of airfreight originating in KwaZulu-Natal but being trucked to Gauteng and flown out of OR Tambo International Airport, showed that the Dube TradePort Cargo Terminal handled a mere 19% of this market. By 2016 the cargo terminal had captured 55% of this market growing 25% year-on- year. In the 2018/19 financial year the terminal's volumes increased by another 26% to some 16 000 tons of import and export airfreight and for 2019/20 volumes are projected to exceed 18000 tons, driven largely by the arrival of British Airways.

"There is a big change in the way companies are doing business. There are conscious decisions being made to use airfreight and fly it directly into and out of Durban. As a port city the shipping sector is one of those that have chosen to fly ship spares, supplies and crew directly to Durban. They can pick-up their cargo anytime as the terminal operates a 24-hour service, in addition to this the stringent security at the terminal allows us to reduce the risk of transhipment the loss." says Isaacs.

Service levels at the Dube Cargo Terminal top 97% as measured by all airlines. "We have achieved this by training and maintaining staff - 90% of staff has International Air Transport Association (IATA) diplomas and other certificates - and with a 20 minute turnaround time we are becoming known for our handling capability." says Isaac.

The arrival of British Airways as a major international airline was the culmination in a long period a lot of negotiation and important for cargo. London is the seat of major freight forwarders in the United Kingdom so no matter where the cargo is destined it is able to be managed via London.

"The fact that since 2016 we have been able to find efficiencies to handle all the additional airlines with the same team and same excellent service standards, is proof of our ability and the training and is definitely a highlight," says Isaac.

Assisting in the turnaround time is the terminal's airside automation. It is the only cargo terminal in South Africa to have any automation according to Isaac who says landside automation is in the planning and its RFID technology should be fully integrated into its systems by end 2020. "Transparency is key to customer relations and this will enable customers anywhere, anytime to track their cargo," he said.