Page 27 - Logistics News - August 2021

S UP P LY C H A IN
SAAFF plays a leading role

in restoring supply chains

By Dr Juanita Maree, Chairperson: SAAFF

Loss of trust, reputational damage, decreasing investor confidence and companies choosing to avoid
using South Africa’s ports resulting in the loss of jobs and slow economic growth are just some of the
consequences of massive disruptions to South Africa’s supply chains over recent weeks.

he cyber-attack on Transnet, which brought our ports • Offering target-driven, innovative solutions to the
to a halt and resulted in a virtual standstill for 12 days, supply chain blockages.
T is the latest in a series of severe supply chain shocks. • The association’s lobbying efforts with other
Throughout this time, the South African Association of Freight industry associations resulted in more police
Forwarders (SAAFF) has played a key and active role in tackling and SANDF presence at critical hotspots on key
the challenges that have unfolded and collaborating with corridors.
stakeholders to restore some normality to the supply chain in
several ways: Lessons learned
• The association was instrumental in the establishment of the • The disruptions have provided valuable lessons SAAFF Chairperson
Supply Chain Security Working Group. Co-chaired by SAAFF for everyone, which need to be incorporated into Dr Juanita Maree.
and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) actions going forward.
and comprising a wide range of stakeholders from both the • All businesses, government departments and state-owned
private and public sectors, the purpose of the working group entities need to have contingency plans in place to allow them
is to identify solutions to the challenges that supply chains to return to their daily operations as quickly as possible after
currently face, including the massive gridlock at ports around an unforeseen event.
the country. • Rapid responses are needed from all stakeholders when
• Driving the development of a master plan to ensure that disruptions occur.
contingency plans are put in place where there are none. • Collaboration between government and the private sector is
• SAAFF was instrumental in getting a manual process underway vital. We have a mature approach to this collaborative journey
at the ports to ensure the resumption of the flow of goods. A to build a better South Africa and support our key role in the
detailed standard operating procedure is in the process of being southern east Africa region.
developed. This work will be signed off by Business Unity South • Transparency of the supply chain is key.
Africa (BUSA) as well as Transnet Port Terminals, Transnet • Strong leadership with effective and timeous communication
National Ports Authority and SARS. is essential to drive solutions to the disruptions.
• Initiating discussions with various stakeholders to ensure
that linkages are in place to bring about quick and effective We need to rebuild trust with importers and exporters
communication and to build capacity for effective decision (the cargo owners) to ensure that logistics networks can
making. support their brand promises to their end customers,
• Ongoing lobbying with influencers and government leaders to the public at large. Whilst some stability has now been
bring about much-needed action with a clear understanding of restored at Transnet, SAAFF calls on all stakeholders
the impact of international and regional supply chains on our – from the private and public sectors – to work as a
fragile economy. collective structure to ensure that these disruptions
• Keeping its members up to date with progress made, thereby do not happen again. The transport nodes need to be
enabling them to plan ahead accordingly, even while cargo is developed and reinforced in the correct balance; waterside,
moving or at rest in the different holding areas like container terminals, road and rail need to function together, with a L O GI S T I CS NEWS
terminals or licensed depots. strong supportive and escalation structure in the centre
• Conducting interviews with media, locally and globally, to keep that will ensure sustainability and predictability in order
the industry and its customers apprised of the latest news. to support regional and international trade effectively. •

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