Exploring the efficiency of the Navis Terminal operating system at Transnet Durban Port, South Africa.

Abstract

Competition in harbours has meant that container terminal operators must constantly improve their efficiency to survive in this business. The rapid growth in cargo volumes and shipments from around the globe resulted in significant productivity and operational inefficiencies at terminals as harbours faced the challenge of meeting ever-growing demand. The main causes were increased competition, incompleteness of data, freight damage, rail or road bottlenecks, inadequate operational planning, and management. Therefore, seaport terminals needed to adopt TOS solutions such as Navis that would improve operational efficiency, throughput, and economic growth. However, a gap was identified in ensuring seamless and efficient terminal operations despite the introduction of these technological solutions. To find a solution to these inefficiencies that leave traces of economic, organizational, and reputational damage. A research model was developed through an integration of the AST, TTF and TOE model to explore the efficiency of the Navis TOS at Transnet Port of Durban, the largest port in South Africa. To capture a deep understanding for the efficiency of the terminal operations system in cargo handling at the Transnet Port of Durban and to draw appropriate conclusions for the study, a qualitative design approach is fitting. A population of 10 participants from Transnet Port of Durban employees was selected using a non-probability sampling. The selected cohort consist of one executive manager, two general managers, two terminal managers, two system engineers, two business analysts and one consultant from various department who are experts on the topics covered in this study. Interviews were used as a data collection tool. Data analysis was performed using NVivo computer software for data capturing and transforming data. Thematic analysis was utilized for primary data, while content analysis was utilized for the secondary data. The Transnet Port of Durban should consider purchasing straddle equipment as a matter of urgency to increase the capacity for the current fleet and for the replacement of old fleet which is almost at the end of its useful life. It is imperative that an adequately resourced 24/7 workshop for servicing and repair be set up. The workshop must be resourced by employees with the required skills and have enough inventory to ensure that it runs efficiently. This will resolve the challenge of queues at the Transnet Port of Durban.