THE Port Elizabeth car terminal enhanced its performance by implementing a dual ramp operation. This resulted in a 14% increase in units handled per hour (UPH) – exceeding the terminal’s stretch target of 200 UPH. The successful trial with the Hoegh Shipping Line has had the terminal endorse applying the dual ramp operation on all calling vessels.
The terminal, which previously used one ramp for loading and offloading vehicles that are fully built, now uses both the side and main ramps. Port Elizabeth car terminal manager, Chuma Butshingi said, “Daily we are working at enhancing our performance and improving productivity and the team is rising to the occasion. The results are pleasing”. He added that the benchmarking exercise that the team embarked on in Thailand last year exposed them to a better way of managing the operation.
The terminal had planned to load 2 700 VW Polo exports and ended up loading an additional 51, bringing the total to 2 751. “The collaborative spirit from the shipping line and the South African Cargo Service, together with our team of employees has been exceptional,” said Butshingi.
The Port Elizabeth car terminal handles an average of 150 000 fully-built units annually, with Europe as its major trading market.
