Another high average of 12,531 TEUs were handled daily at our container terminals, which is a little decrease from the previous week’s record of 13,883 TEUs. It is anticipated that a slightly higher average of ~12 609 TEUs (∑1%) will be handled over the next week. Even with yet another week of high tonnage, bad weather, empty berths, and ongoing equipment failures and shortages continued to disrupt port operations. This week, bad weather caused almost 30 hours of operational downtime at the Port of Cape Town, while equipment issues and bad weather were the primary operational restrictions in Durban. Bayhead Road is still undergoing rehabilitation. Our Eastern Cape Ports did not operate at their best due to empty berths, equipment issues, and a power outage, but the Port of Richards Bay saw just minor delays. TFR’s most recent reports show that there is continued, sporadic cable theft on the core corridor, although trains are still running in spite of the occurrences. Additionally, “diesel breakdowns” caused delays of up to 12 hours on the line between Johannesburg and Mafikeng on the weekend of June 21 and 22.
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
- Encouraging developments in the South African container industry:
- Following two strong weeks of container throughput, optimism is building, as Ngqura prepares to receive the MSC Nicola Mastro, a 24 000 TEU ultra-large vessel and a first for South Africa.
- This is notable given our terminals typically handle neo-Panamax ships of up to ~15 000 TEU due to depth and crane limits.
- Global shipping developments:
- Carriers are deploying larger vessels on new routes, as geopolitical tensions continue to shape routing decisions, with cautious Red Sea transits and diversions via the Cape of Good Hope continuing.
- Freight rates fell by -9% this week, led by a -16% drop on the Transpacific, even as global port throughput shows steady year-on-year growth.
- Global air cargo increase:
- In May 2025, IATA reports that global air cargo demand (CTK) increased by +2,2% year-on-year; however, seasonally adjusted CTKs contracted by -1% (m/m).
- More frequent data shows that global tonnages rose +2% (w/w) and +5% (y/y), as rated edged by +1% (w/w) to $2,43/kg (but remained down by –1%, y/y).
- Middle East and South Asia volumes rebounded (+10%, w/w) as Gulf airspace reopened after the Israel–Iran ceasefire, although full normality may take weeks. Africa-origin volumes grew +4% (w/w).
Key Notes:
- An average of ~12 531 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 609 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 3 422 containers, up by ↑4% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↑0,1; transit: ↑0,8 hrs; SA borders: 9,6 hrs (↓11%); SADC: 4,7 hrs (no change).
- Drewry’s “Global Container Port Throughput Index” increased ↑0,5% (m/m) and ↑5,6% (y/y) in April.
Port operations – General:
- At our container terminals, another high average of 12 531 TEUs was handled daily, decreasing slightly from the record 13 893 TEUs the previous week.
o For the coming week, a slightly increased average of ~12 609 TEUs (↑1%) is predicted to be handled. - Despite another high volume week, port operations were still interrupted by adverse weather, vacant berths, as well as continuous equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- The Port of Cape Town experienced more than 30 operational hours of downtime due to adverse weather this week, while the main operational constraints in Durban were equipment challenges and adverse weather.
- Rehabilitation continues on Bayhead Road.
- Empty berths, equipment challenges, and a power failure prevented optimal performance at our Eastern Cape Ports, while minimal delays were reported at the Port of Richards Bay.
- The latest reports from TFR indicate that intermittent cable theft is ongoing on the central corridor; however, trains continue to operate despite the incidents that have occurred.
- Additionally, delays of up to 12 hours were experienced over the weekend (21 & 22 June) on the line between Johannesburg and Mafikeng due to “diesel breakdowns.”
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report