Dube TradePort is focusing on unlocking efficiencies through greater automation, having upgraded equipment.
The business entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government in South Africa, which is located 30 kms north of Durban has upgraded screening equipment to dual-view x-ray machines.
An RFID tagging system has also been implemented, enhancing the ability to track and trace the movement of every piece of cargo within the Dube Cargo Terminal.
Serving ratings from customer airlines may be over 97% but Dube TradePort is still looking for improvements.
It says: “The one area where we have been investing in is in the training of our staff, where over 95% of our staff have IATA certification, which has been invaluable in our operations and the services we provide to our airline partners and freight forwarders.”
Volumes have been growing as airlines add services to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. Qatar Airways upgraded its four times a week Doha-Durban flight to use an Airbus A350-900 in July.
British Airways has also added flights, increasing connectivity to European and North American markets.
The company says: “We expect that we will continue to see growth in our cargo volumes for 2019, as we are confident in the fact that there is an untapped potential in the market for more volumes of airfreight, both in an out of our market.”
Ship spare parts are increasingly being flown into Durban, with Dube TradePort commenting: “As Durban is a major African port city, efficient movement and supply of ship spares are vital to support the maritime industry.”
Dube TradePort sees major opportunities in the growth of manufacturing through the establishment of Special Economic Zones similar to the one in Durban.
The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement with the prospect of the Single African Air Transport Market will provide access to the rest of the continent.
Dube TradePort says: “The challenge that the continent will face in the growth of the aviation sector is being able to provide efficient, safe and modern facilities as well as ensuring that the operations of the cargo stakeholders work seamlessly within the operations of the airports, across the continent.”
