The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber said it was deeply concerned at the go-slow at the Port of Ngqura
Chamber President, Dr Andrew Muir, said it was causing serious damage to the local economy through the inability of the port to handle imports and exports.
He said the automotive and agriculture industries, in particular, have been severely disrupted and was also impacting on downstream businesses.
The Chamber said it was calling on the relevant stakeholders to act in the best interests of the economy by urgently resolving the current situation and returning back to normal operations.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen South Africa said that go slow cost the company 400 units on Wednesday.
Communications Manager, Andile Dlamini, said that number would increase if vessels carrying critical components such as engines cannot be berthed and off-loaded
He said their daily production target is 680 units over three shifts but they have had to cancel two shifts and send employees home.
Dlamini said communication from Transnet National Ports Authority has been non-existent and this is frustrating them as they “don't know what's happening”.
Transnet National Ports Authority said workers, who had been on a go-slow since last week, continue to engage in an illegal industrial action.
TNPA spokesperson, Molatwane Likhethe, said this has had a negative impact on other port operations.
He said operations at the Durban Container Terminal have also been impacted by equipment failure and high-level absenteeism.
“Transnet continues to update all its customers on business continuity plans which have been put in place to deal with the anticipated backlog. Employees are also being engaged to ensure that the situation, particularly at the Port of Ngqura, is normalised,” he said.
