Coal terminal exports decline but still high

DESPITE an extremely challenging year, Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) remained above the 70 million ton coal export margin in 2019.

A total of 72,15 million tons of coal was exported last year – a 1,3 million ton decline, however, compared to the 73,47 million tons in 2018.

‘On a quarterly basis in terms of both exports and imports, we had a very slow start to the year with a 68 million ton rate which however peaked in the second quarter to 76,4 million and 72,73 million tons for both export and rail,’ said RBCT CEO Alan Waller.

The third quarter experienced a decline owing to the annual coal line shutdown.

‘The challenge we faced as a terminal during that period was that we were berthing vessels on arrival; there was no queueing and no pressure on the infrastructure. From October we then move into vessel queue,’ Waller said.

SA exports 91% of coal through RBCT to Asia, 6% to the rest of Africa and 3% to Europe.

The terminal however lost an equivalent of 39 days due to weather patterns in 2019 compared to the 36 days lost in 2018.

‘The weather patterns are definitely getting worse over the years and we are continuously working with the port to manage this process differently.

‘There are a number of initiatives that we are looking into because the weather patterns are not going to change; in fact they are probably going to get more unpredictable and as a value chain we must find ways to deal with the effects.

‘But given some of the challenges and circumstances we are pleased with the results,’ Waller said.

‘We were certainly not sure we would reach that level,’ he said.

This was reiterated by RBCT chairperson, Nosipho Siwisa-Damasane who said the numbers are nothing short of a miracle.

‘The volumes we achieved were done under tough circumstances without compromising the safety of our people,’ said Siwisa-Damasane.

Year of Safety

RBCT has declared 2020 as the ‘Year of Safety’ as part of doubling efforts to ensure the safety of workers.

‘In 2018 RBCT reduced the total number of injuries from 46 to 26 and last year we reduced that by a further 15%. We had a target of 20% reduction in the number of injuries.

‘Unfortunately included in the injuries we had last year, three of those could have been life threatening.

‘Even though our statistics have gone in the right direction with the biggest positive being the 65% reduction in Fatal Risk Control Protocol (FRCP) incidents, the reality is we had three near significant misses, which is too close for comfort for our business.

‘We therefore felt it very appropriate to go back to the year of safety to ensure there is no complacency in our organisation,’ said Waller.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer