Civil Unrest in South Africa Impacting Port Operations

Update 20 July 2021

Bowmans have provided the following update:

• The situation in and around Durban and Richards Bay seems to have largely stabilised following the civil unrest that broke out in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces in South Africa last week.
• The full impact of last week’s events on South Africa’s transport and logistics industries will likely be felt for some time yet.
• Both Durban and Richards Bay port control have advised that all terminals and services are once again fully operational. With local commuter taxi, train and bus services resuming, there are no reported staffing issues at either port at present.
• Local ships agents at Durban and Richards Bay advise that crew changes are again taking place at both ports.
• The Durban High Court has reopened for all services. Court hearings are scheduled to resume 21 July.

Update 14 July 2021

Further to our last update on 12 July, correspondents P&I Associates (Pty) Ltd confirm that the civil unrest in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal has worsened. In addition to widespread looting across the region, rioters have attacked container depots. The ports of Durban and Richards Bay have come to a standstill as staff are unable to travel to work.

South African Petroleum Refineries (SAPREF) has declared force majeure and shut down its operations. This is likely to impact on tanker vessels looking to discharge cargo in port or at the single buoy mooring (SBM). Port operators, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) and TPT (Transnet Port Terminals) have declared force majeure for the Port of Durban, as has the Richards Bay Coal Terminal and various private terminals.

12 July 2021

Violent unrest in the cities of Durban and Richards Bay and surrounding areas in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, is leading to delays in port operations.

Shepstone & Wylie advise that the civil unrest and rioting is in protest against the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of the Constitutional Court.  As a result, public transport has been suspended, leading to port staff unable to travel to work, therefore affecting port operations at Durban and Richards Bay.

P&I Associates (Pty) Ltd in Durban further advise that the South African government has asked people to remain at home and that road networks are currently closed, with reports of trucks carrying cargo between Durban and Johannesburg being attacked.

More information will be provided as the situations develops.