Cargo Movement Update – 13 July 2025 | Savino Del Bene South Africa

TEU handling at our container terminals decreased from 13 933 TEUs the week before to an average of 12 424 TEUs each day. It is anticipated that a slightly lower average of ~12 609 TEUs (1%) will be handled over the next week. Unfavorable weather, empty berths, equipment failures, and shortages were the main factors limiting port operations. While persistent equipment failures and unfavorable weather conditions were the primary operating restrictions in Durban, unfavorable weather and equipment malfunctions caused operational delays at the Port of Cape Town. While there were only minor delays at the Port of Richards Bay, operations at our Eastern Cape Ports were mostly affected by vacant berths and bad weather. TFR’s most recent findings show that while intermittent cable theft on the Central Corridor persisted this week, things seem to be getting better. TFR also announced that the line between Pretoria and Durban will begin its yearly closure next week, which will mean that there won’t be any trains on the line for two weeks.

Some highlights discussed this week include the following:

1. Port throughput for June:

TNPA has released consolidated port statistics for June, with another month of significant increases in monthly performance across the respective sub-sectors:
- Containers increased monthly by +8% (m/m), but decreased annually by -5% (y/y), and YTD by -4,2%.
- Total bulk cargo increased monthly by +6% (m/m) and annually by +1% (y/y).
- Vehicles increased monthly by +15% (m/m) and annually by +8% (y/y).

2. Air cargo continues to be up on 2024 levels:

In June, international air cargo volumes decreased month-on-month at Johannesburg (-3%) and at Cape Town (-15%), but increased at Durban (+13%).
Year-on-year, cargo is up at all terminals (Johannesburg at +6%, Cape Town +1%, and Durban at +30%) compared to 2024.
Moreover, for H1 2025, the year-to-date cargo is up by +5% (y/y).

3. World merchandise trade update:

Q1 2025 trade surge: Global merchandise trade volume rose sharply, driven by pre-emptive importing ahead of US tariff hikes. North American imports led with a +13,4% (q/q) increase, followed by Africa at +5,1%.
Outlook remains subdued: Despite a ~4% (y/y) rise in export values, the WTO maintains a cautious full-year forecast of just +0,1% growth, citing ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

Key Notes:

An average of ~12 933 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 609 TEUs projected for next week.
Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 3 771 containers, up by ↑9% from last week.
Cross-border queue: ↓0,5 hrs; transit: ↓0,5 hrs; SA borders: 10,5 hrs (↓6%); SADC: 4,7 hrs (no change).
World merchandise trade volume grew strongly in Q1 2025 ~↑4% (y/y), exceeding WTO forecasts.

Port operations – General:

At our container terminals, an average of 12 424 TEUs was handled daily, down from 13 933 TEUs the previous week.
For the coming week, a slightly decreased average of ~12 609 TEUs (↑1%) is predicted to be handled.
Port operations were mainly constrained by adverse weather, vacant berths, as well as equipment breakdowns and shortages.
Adverse weather and equipment breakdowns led to operational delays at the Port of Cape Town, while the main operational constraints in Durban were continuous equipment breakdowns and adverse weather conditions.
Vacant berths and inclement weather mainly impacted operations 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 continued on the Central Corridor this week; however, the situation appears to be improving.
Additionally, TFR communicated that the annual shutdown on the line between Pretoria and Durban will commence next week, resulting in no trains moving on the line for two weeks.