Bulk Connections is part of the Bidvest group which operates a wide range of specialist material handling facilities in South Africa. The operations are mainly in and around the port peripheries in strategically located facilities. Goal: The terminal aims to become the first choice import / export terminal for all difficult to handle products. Mission: To give quality service through the participation and empowerment of our people. Management are well aware of the competition and have gone to great lengths to ensure that the terminal is competitive in the "global shopping mall". World class terminal operations require total inbound cargo control, stockyard management and efficient vessel operations. The terminal offers a wide range of services that can be tailored to meet individual needs. Handling systems, storage requirements, information transfer and cargo management can be suited to special wishes. Each shipment is treated as an individual project with distinctive requirements. Company Background: Bulk Connections has been in business since the early 1900`s. Over the years the plant has been maintained, upgraded and state of the art equipment added. The terminal was originally operated by South African Railways and Harbours. When the Richards Bay Coal Terminal was built, the need to operate the Durban operation was questioned, and a decision was made to phase out exports. This however did not suit many small users of the terminal and after a long struggle, the Durban Coal Terminal Company was formed in September 1988. This company appointed Rennies Terminals now a part of the Bidvest group, to manage the facility on their behalf. Since the take-over in September 1988, the facility has been continually upgraded and refurbished. The sized sensitive handling rates have doubled, three independent loading routes are now available, storage space has been dramatically increased and the terminal is now one of the most effective grab discharge facilities in the Port The terminal operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week and will operate on public holidays if cargo is available. Dependability and reliability are proving to be the terminals critical success factors, with plant availability exceeding 93%. The terminal handles around 100 vessels per year, at an annual throughput of 2,5 million tons. On average 4 trains arrive or leave per day with bulk cargo covering the Northen Cape, KZN, Mpumalanga and North West Province.