Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) Richards Bay Terminal has announced the suspension of long-distance Road Motor Transport (RMT) trucks accessing the port during the festive season.
This move aims to ease congestion on public roads, particularly the N2 and John Ross Highway, which have been under immense pressure due to an abnormal influx of cargo trucks.
Thulasizwe Dlamini, Managing Executive at TPT Richards Bay Terminal, explained the decision, stating, “The City of uMhlathuze Traffic Department has reported resource constraints, making it challenging to manage the high volume of RMTs on the N2. These mitigations are necessary to ensure road users can freely utilize the road network during this peak period.”
Effective from 20 December 2024, all long-distance RMTs will be suspended from entering the port.
Truck operators are required to offload and vacate the terminal by 06:00 on 23 December 2024. Normal operations for RMTs will resume on 3 January 2025.
Despite these restrictions, operations involving harbour-bound trucks delivering directly to vessels or transporting cargo directly from vessels will continue uninterrupted.
Dlamini acknowledged the inconvenience this might cause, saying, “We appreciate your understanding as we implement these measures to mitigate risks and ensure smooth traffic flow during the holiday season. These decisions are beyond TPT’s control, but they are necessary to address the current challenges.”
The terminal’s proactive measures aim to improve road safety and reduce congestion during the busy festive period, ensuring that both public road users and the port’s operations are minimally impacted.
Do you have more on this story? Click to WhatsApp us. Anonymity guaranteed.
