The South African fruit industry has been hit hard yet again recently.This time, all shipping at the Port of Durban was suspended due to floods and mudslides.
In particular, the country's citrus industry, which has just started exporting, is expected to record volumes this season, and a successful export season requires smooth and efficient port operations.
The Kwa-Zula Natal region has been reported to have suffered its heaviest rainfall in more than 60 years, with flooding damaging roads leading to the port of Durban.It is unclear when those roads will reopen.The Port of Durban is an important trade route for South Africa and its landlocked neighbors such as Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Ayanda Shezi, spokesperson for Transnet, the state-owned operator of roads and ports in South Africa, said in a statement that due to severe weather, shipping at the Port of Durban has been suspended until further notice, and ships at berth are on standby."No major accident reports have been received so far," Shezi added.
“Some exporters have already started to truck containers to Cape Town,” said Delena Engelbrecht of South African logistics company GoGlobal.GoGlobal has a large cold storage facility on the outskirts of Durban, where citrus is cooled and boxed before shipment.
"The port is taking all necessary measures to resume operations as soon as possible," the Port of Durban statement said.
