The average number of TEUs handled daily in our container terminals dropped from 10 938 TEUs the previous week to 10 428 TEUs. It is anticipated that a higher average of ~12 123 TEUs (↑16%) will be handled over the next week. Unfavourable weather, equipment failures, and shortages were the main factors limiting port operations. While bad weather and ongoing equipment failures proved to be the primary operational restrictions in Durban, the Port of Cape Town lost almost 40 operating hours this week due to unfavourable 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. According to Maersk’s most recent reports, the Kalahari Express/250N will leave Cape Town and depart from Durban for Europe. Because the technical crew is now completing maintenance on the aircraft, the Durban helicopter remained out of commission this week. Furthermore, TFR sent out very few reports this week. According to Maersk’s most recent reports, CTCT appears to have a waiting time of two to four days, although CTMPT showed no waiting times. Again, PECT and Coega showed no waiting time, however Piers 1 and 2 currently have wait times of less than a day.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~10 428 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 123 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 795 containers, up ↑27% from last week.
- Truck volumes through Lebombo are down at 1 358 HGVs/day (↓7%), with an average queue of 4,4 km.
- Cross-border queue: ↓0,1 hrs; transit: unchanged; SA borders: 11,1 hrs (↓9%); SADC: 4,5 hrs (↓22%).
- Global bulk demand is predicted to grow by ↑3,2%, influenced by geopolitical strains & GHG regulations.
- Global container spot rates dropped for the fifth week in a row and are down by ↓5,4% to $3 095/40-ft.
- Global air cargo tonnages rebounded slightly (↑3%) after the LNY, with average rates around $2,30/kg.
Port operations – General:
- In our container terminals, a decreased average of 10 428 TEUs was handled per day, down from 10 938 TEUs last week.
- For the coming week, an increased average of ~12 123 TEUs (↑16%) is predicted to be handled.
- Port operations were mainly constrained by adverse weather conditions, as well as equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- The Port of Cape Town conceded more than 40 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 mainly impacted operations at our Eastern Cape Ports, while minimal delays were reported at the Port of Richards Bay.
- The latest reports from Maersk suggest that the Kalahari Express/250N will omit Cape Town and sail to Europe from Durban.
- The Durban helicopter remained out of commission this week as the technical team is currently performing maintenance operations on the aircraft.
- Additionally, minimal reports were received from TFR this week.
- The latest reports from Maersk suggest that CTCT seemingly has 2-4 days’ waiting time, while CTMPT recorded no waiting times.
- PECT and Coega, once more, illustrated no waiting time, while the waiting times at Pier 1 and Pier 2 are currently less than a day.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report