Integrated freight and logistics strategic framework and action plan for the eThekwini municipality

Abstract

The Port of Durban is the busiest in South Africa. As the port has expanded over time, freight and logistics developments have located in close proximity to the port, leading to the infiltration of trucking into all areas around the city, and this has affected businesses, residents, public transport and general traffic. The permeation of trucking throughout the municipal area impacts negatively on air quality, road safety, road maintenance and general business efficiency in the city. This paper commences with a status quo assessment which included a comprehensive literature review on port cities and innovative transport and logistics solutions. Interviews were held with key stakeholders. The analysis covered freight commodity flows, hazardous and abnormal goods movement, freight movements (including empty containers), container depots, impacts of truck overloading on the municipal road network, and assessment of freight accident records. The status quo analysis was followed by a 20-year phased strategic framework which developed a vision for freight and logistics in the municipal area that identifies, describes and explains each intervention and the anticipated time frame over which interventions need to be implemented. Interventions were categorised into short-, medium- and long-term freight and logistics solutions for the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA). Short-term interventions were taken through a more detailed planning process, the implementation of which will commence in the next five years. Budgets were prepared and an indication was given of the responsibilities of different spheres of government and parastatals such as Transnet, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, DubeTradePort and SANRAL.