Workers at the port of Durban in South Africa, one of the busiest on the continent, have been on strike for over a week demanding better wages.

This Tuesday, Transnet, which manages the country's rail network and cargo ports, said that the low number of employees is hurting the financial performance of the container and car terminals. Last week, Trsanset declared a strike force over a wage dispute.

Transnet Port Terminals issued a statement saying that the strike had impacted waterfront and landside operations at its Durban port, which handles 65% of South Africa's container volume.

According to Reuters, the company has recommended that no trucks be sent to Durban's Pier 1, Pier 2 and RoRo Terminal "until further notice" because its operations have been impacted as a result of industrial action.

Berths 1 and 2 are container terminals, while the RoRo (roll-on roll-off) terminal is used for importing and exporting cars.

The strike could also disrupt fruit exports from Cape Town's Transnet port at the very beginning of the deciduous fruit season.

"Transnet is working closely with the industry to ensure that perishable goods, along with other cargo with a limited shelf-life, are given priority at ports," Transnet assured.

"Transnet is working closely with the industry to ensure that perishable goods, along with other cargo with a limited shelf-life, are given priority at ports," said Transnet.

The company said that the impact of the strike differed on its operations, with essential services such as ship docking and mooring continuing. Services provided by private companies within the ports also continue.

The Transnet strike is also set to exacerbate the mining industry's logistical woes. Even before the strike, the Minerals Council of South Africa had predicted a revenue loss of 50 billion rand this year, compared to 35 billion rand in 2021, as Transnet's poor performance squeezes exports.

Miners Thungela Resources, Kumba Iron Ore and Jupiter Mines have warned that the strike is likely to have an impact on the production and export of coal, iron ore and manganese.