In 2014 the Port registered record tonnage for the banana, perishable and other sensitive cargoes which come from Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

And, as the partners celebrated their anniversary last week at the annual Fruit Logistica in Berlin, they were also planning future growth.

The Port of Dover has now commenced work on one of the most important cargo projects in North West Europe. Dover Western Docks Revival will create a new cargo terminal with two dedicated cargo berths and a port-centric distribution facility.

Port Director of Corporate Development, Barbara Buczek, said: “Our project for the Western Docks is well-advanced and will provide the ultimate strategic location, delivering the supply chain with fast and direct access to and from Europe on the shortest sea-crossing.

“Dover is open for cargo business and is looking to maximise the potential and opportunities that partnerships like the one we have with Seatrade and George Hammond PLC can bring.”

Eik Schuster, Chartering Manager of Seatrade Reefer Chartering N.V said: “My company’s relationship with the Port of Dover and George Hammond PLC over the last ten years has been fruitful in every way and I am grateful to both companies for their hard work in delivering an efficient operation, enabling us to serve the UK market effectively.”

James Ryeland, Managing Director at George Hammond PLC, said: “We’ve had a great level of support from Seatrade, their worldwide network of offices and the Port of Dover which has given us the opportunity to develop this strong relationship.”

To mark the anniversary, the Port presented a commemorative plaque to Seatrade representatives at Fruit Logistica.

Richard Vallihu, Chief Executive at TNPA, said: “The National Ports Act 12 of 2005 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code of 2004 dictate that we as a port authority implement measures to assist in detecting security threats and take preventative measures against security incidents that may affect ships or port facilities used in international trade.”

Phumuzi Sigasa, head of TNPA’s Port Security Portfolio added: “In conformance with regulations and our own Integrated Security Management Systems – Security Strategy Plan, we are rolling out an upgraded security system across our eight South African commercial ports and our head office in Johannesburg. CCTV is but one aspect of our broader integrated technological security system which encompasses technology, skills, systems and procedures.”

The CCTV system will be integrated between all port sites and the head office to give a bird’s eye view of the port security environment. It comprises 2100 high definition cameras across the various sites – more than double the previous 864 – as well as long range cameras to monitor all port channel entrances and outer anchorages.

The newly renovated control room located at the Port of Durban was the first to go live on 12 February 2016. It boasts state-of-the-art video walls for added visibility across the port. Vehicle security within the port perimeters will also be enhanced through license plate recognition.

The system will also facilitate increased night visibility through thermal imaging that can detect heat emitted by objects or bodies, especially in low visibility areas and through smoke, fog and haze.

Some of the most common security incidents in South African ports can include stowaways, theft of cargo and damage or theft of assets owned by Transnet and other port users.

The high-tech security system will further entrench the position of South African ports as “smartpeoplePORTS”. Other notable “smart” port systems include the web-based Integrated Port Management System (IPMS) which was rolled out across all eight ports in 2015, enabling key port operations to be managed online and in real time. Transnet is also looking at ways to make the ports more “people centric” and accessible to the public while still maintaining safety and security.