Textile and apparel manufacturers in Swaziland prefer using the Durban port to export their goods to other countries as it is quicker, cheaper and has an advantage of moving goods directly to the export destination.
During an ongoing Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) training session, Mr. Dexter Fonseka, Shipping Manager at Texray Swaziland, said the Maputo port in Mozambique is closer to Swaziland, but the country's textile and apparel companies prefer to ship out their goods from the Durban port in South Africa for various reasons.
He explained that it takes about 22 days for a cargo ship from Durban to reach the US, while it takes longer through the Maputo port. It is because goods from Maputo port are first transshipped to either Durban or Dar-es-Salaam, from where they are again shipped to the US.
Secondly, he said, delays are caused if the goods miss the trans-ship from Durban or Dar-es-Salaam.
He explained that the Durban port has an advantage as it takes goods directly to the preferred destination. Maputo port does not give similar benefit as its route is used by only a limited number of shipping lines.
Lastly, he said, it is cheaper to export goods from Durban port than from Maputo port.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India