The average number of TEUs handled daily in our container terminals dropped from 11,548 TEUs the previous week to 10,938 TEUs. It is anticipated that a higher average of ~12 123 TEUs (↑10%) will be handled over the next week. The main factors limiting port operations were bad weather, empty berths, equipment failures, and shortages. While bad weather and ongoing equipment failures proved to be the primary operational restrictions in Durban, the Port of Cape Town lost almost 30 operating hours this week due to unfavorable weather conditions. While there were only minor delays at the Port of Richards Bay, operations at our Eastern Cape Ports were mostly affected by bad weather and empty berths. According to the most recent sources, the ConCor line in Denville, Pretoria, experienced a hook-up on Saturday, February 1st. On Monday, February 3rd, the line was occupied from 6:00 to 18:00 for monthly maintenance operations. Furthermore, according to Maersk’s most recent data, port throughput increased following the holiday season, indicating that the operational environment at our South African ports has improved recently.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~10 938 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 123 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 207 containers, down ↓20% from last week.
- Truck volumes through Lebombo are slightly up at 1 453 HGVs/day (↑2%), with an average queue of 2,3km.
- Cross-border queue: ↓1,2 hrs; transit: ↓1,1 hrs; SA borders: 12,2 hrs (↑14%); SADC: 5,8 hrs (unchanged).
- Global container volume (dry & reefer) is up by ↑4,5% (m/m) and ↑7,6% (y/y) in December. FY: ↑5,7%.
Port operations – General:
- In our container terminals, a decreased average of 10 938 TEUs was handled per day, down from 11 548 TEUs last week.
- For the coming week, an increased average of ~12 123 TEUs (↑10%) is predicted to be handled.
- Adverse weather, vacant berths, equipment breakdowns and shortages mainly constrained port operations.
- The Port of Cape Town conceded more than 30 operational hours this week to adverse weather, while the main operational constraints in Durban proved to be adverse weather and continuous equipment breakdowns.
- Inclement weather conditions and vacant berths mainly impacted operations at our Eastern Cape Ports, while minimal delays were reported at the Port of Richards Bay.
- The latest reports suggest that a hook-up occurred on the ConCor line near Denville, Pretoria, on Saturday (1 February), with monthly maintenance operations occupying the line between 06:00 and 18:00 on Monday (3 February).
- Additionally, the latest reports from Maersk suggest that the operational landscape at our South African ports has improved recently, with port throughput increasing after the festive period.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report