Durban - The Road Freight Association says it has advised its members to delay any departures towards Durban, and to find depots and safe parking areas along the way.
The association said there are already long queues of trucks along the N3.
“The Mariannhill plaza has a backlog of 10km all the way to Hammarsdale and the problem is that (according to the Road Traffic Inspectorate) the local communities are now targeting the trucks (eg. looting),” said Gavin Kelly, RFA CEO.
He added that authorities in KZN have requested that, where possible, all freight movements (trucks) towards the Port of Durban are suspended or be withheld until the situation at the port has improved.
On Tuesday, the South African National Roads Agency said Bayhead Road which provides access to the port was completely closed due to heavy rains and flooding.
It said engineers were on the ground assessing the situation and providing guidance on mobility around the network.
Kelly said that apart from the access roads being damaged, container yards, truck depots and trucks had been flooded and damaged.
“The area is really a disaster at the moment. Logistics operations will be impacted: there will be delivery disruptions for goods being imported.”
He said the association would like to urge its members to assist one another to get any vehicles off the road and to secure holding areas until the logistics chain is up and running again.
“No foreseeable shortages in foodstuffs and fuel are expected,” Kelly said.