28 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2024 • “Squeezing” a few more vessels into NCT Durban Wood Chips. • Apply appropriate order-allocation criteria to favour bark-linked timber growers, and growers ahead of bought-in or traded agent timber. Providing some financial relief to members the NCT Board resolved to: • Pay a Guaranteed Supply Premium (GSP) of R25 per tonne on all tonnes both Acacia and Eucalyptus, supplied within the 70% to 110% performance band (supply against GST). • Pay R25 / tonne for all C500 tonnes, both Acacia and Eucalyptus, not exceeding 500 tonnes. Post-fire conditions provided the appropriate foundation to emphasise the use of the NCT app and its source verification capabilities. This to enhance supply-chain visibility and ensure that only legitimate timber enters a constrained flow. The serious malfunction of the NCT Durban Wood Chips chipper motor-brush lifting kit early in 2024, meant that our engineering teams had to prove themselves once again as repair time record beaters, which they accomplished well. On completion of this repair a fire on the Port-owned loading gantry at Durban Port threatened NCT’s access to an inbound vessel. NCT convinced the Port authorities to allow the NCT team to effect the required repairs which was done thereby preventing a protracted outage of a critical service. NCT has demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovative service delivery throughout a challenging year. Addressing critical disruptions like the Richards Bay chipper disaster and severe weather conditions, enhancing security and operational efficiencies, and adopting new technologies such as magnetic resonance testing, NCT has consistently prioritised member benefits. The integration of mill operations, establishment of alternative markets, and proactive crisis management – such as during the devastating Richards Bay fire – underscore NCT’s commitment to service excellence. Engaging with industry and government partners, achieving market success despite global declines, and focusing on sustainable practices highlight NCT’s strategic acumen. These accomplishments reflect NCT’s resilience and the collective strength within its community, ensuring sustained value and support for its members.
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