Compared to the 10 691 TEUs handled last week, an average of 11 046 TEUs were handled daily in our container terminals. The main factors limiting port operations were bad weather, traffic, and equipment shortages and malfunctions. Unfavourable weather caused Cape Town to lose about 40 operational hours this week, while ongoing equipment shortages and breakdowns combined with unfavourable weather guaranteed operational difficulties in Durban. In addition to preventing our Eastern Cape Ports from operating at their best, inclement weather caused many vessel movements to be delayed at the Port of Richards Bay. The Santa Rita/244S and ONE Resilience/244S will call Cape Town southbound to discharge Cape Town imports prior to calling Port Elizabeth (Coega) due to the unfavourable weather conditions that have been observed at the Port of PE during the last two weeks. Additionally, TFR sent out very few reports this week.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~11 046 TEUs was handled per day, with ~11 302 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 818 containers, down ↓21% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↑0,6 hrs; transit: ↑0,5 hrs; SA borders: 14,1 hrs (↑4%); SADC: 4,5 hrs (↑13%).
- SARS September trade stats – exports: ↑3,5% (m/m); imports ↓1,3%; YTD trade surplus: R100,4 billion.
Port operations – General:
- In our container terminals, an average of 11 046 TEUs was handled per day, up compared to the 10 691 TEUs last week.
- Port operations were mainly constrained by poor weather conditions, congestion, and equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- Approximately 40 operational hours were lost in Cape Town this week due to adverse weather, while continuous equipment breakdowns and shortages, accompanied by adverse weather, ensured operational disruptions in Durban.
- Several vessel movements were delayed at the Port of Richards Bay due to bad weather, while poor weather conditions prevented optimal operational performance at our Eastern Cape Ports.
- Due to the adverse weather experienced at the Port of PE over the most recent fortnight, the Santa Rita/244S and ONE Resilience/244S will call Cape Town southbound to discharge Cape Town imports before calling Port Elizabeth (Coega).
- Furthermore, minimal reports were received from TFR this week.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report