CAPE TOWN: Transnet Port Terminals announced an increase of 9 percent in port’s Tariffs for the automotive industry. The increase is almost double the average 4.8 percent tariff increase approved last month by the SA Port Regulator. However, in terms of the National Ports Act, the regulator only has a mandate over the National Ports Authority (NPA) and not TPT.
The manufacturers told on the condition of anonymity that the latest tariff increase followed a 9.25 percent hike last year and would negatively impact the global competitiveness of the motor industry.
Johan van Zyl, the president of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), said that inflation was currently around 6 percent, increases of 9.25 percent and 9 percent could only be justified by commensurate capital investments “otherwise these increases would appear excessive and could contribute to the erosion of member’s competitiveness”.
