The recent South African transport workers' strike exacerbated the normal peak season congestion through Durban and highlighted the need for alternative shipping solutions in the country, according to leading logistics firm GoReefers.
The company used the Mozambique port of Maputo as an alternative to Durban, and the move had immediate benefits for the fruit and vegetable trade.
"We have for some time been arguing that Maputo in Mozambique is a port which needs a new focus in this regard," said GoReefers managing director Delena Engelbrecht.
"Now GoReefers has implemented new shipping logistics which have not only proved that Maputo is a real alternative to shipping through the port of Durban, but that it also saves money for growers and exporters," she said.
Ms Engelbrecht said the South African produce industry could ill afford the pressure on its bottom line, which is already suffering as a result of the global recession and the strength of the rand.
According to GoReefers marketing executive Sharon Cilliers, using the port of Maputo not only helped alleviate the chaos in Durban, but it also offered significant savings for fruit exporters.
"By launching our new Back-to-Back store in Maputo, GoReefers has achieved significant savings for growers and exporters. More importantly, it has also proven that Go-Reefers have been right all along to promote developing the Maputo option," Ms Cilliers said.
"By loading containers in Maputo, according to the GoReefers Back-to Back option, a saving of R6.06 (US$0.80) per carton has been achieved compared with Durban, and savings of R2.83 (US$0.38) per carton are achieved in Maputo in loading specialised reefer vessels compared with the same in Durban."
The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) last week said delays through Durban are costing the growers in the region of R72m (US$9.58m) per season.
