We processed an average of 6,768 TEUs per day at our container terminals, down from 7,619 TEUs the week before. Throughout the week, port operations were characterized by decreased volumes throughout the port system, with the exception of the Cape Town Container Terminal. The enhanced performance was further enhanced by the fact that CTCT reported no weather delays. Pier 1 in Durban displayed lower traffic, but the scant information from Durban Gateway Terminal suggested a successful week. Due to equipment outages (for maintenance), the Eastern Cape had lower-than-normal volumes and would have less capacity in the upcoming weeks. A significant spike in coastal diesel prices to R25.04/l prompted Transnet Port Terminals to impose a fuel neutrality fee of R52 per container on May 1, 2026. This fee is designed as a threshold-based, monthly-adjusted cost recovery method. Although the architecture is in line with input-cost pass-through principles, partial rather than completely neutral cost recovery is suggested by its step-based design and lack of transparency on underlying cost exposure.
Key Notes:
- An average of 6,768 TEUs were handled per day, with 7,714 TEUs projected for next week.
- TNPA Mar: TEUs: ↑17% (m/m) & ↑14% (y/y). Bulk: ↑13% & ↑7%. Vehicles: ↑72% & ↑11% (y/y).
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2,138 containers, up by ↑81% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: no change; transit: ↑0.7 hrs; SA borders: ~10.3 hrs (↓7%); SADC: ~6.7 hrs (↑16%).
Port operations – General:
- At our container terminals, an average of 6,768 TEUs was handled daily, a decrease from 7,619 TEUs the previous week.
- Reduced volumes across the port system characterised port operations throughout the week, except for the Cape Town Container Terminal.
- CTCT reported no weather delays, adding to the improved performance. In Durban, Pier 1 showed reduced volumes, while the limited data from Durban Gateway Terminal hinted at a strong week.
- The Eastern Cape had lower than usual volumes, with reduced capacity for the coming weeks due to equipment outages (for maintenance).
- Transnet Port Terminals has implemented a fuel neutrality charge of R52 per container from 1 May 2026, triggered by a sharp increase in coastal diesel prices to R25.04/l, with the charge structured as a threshold-based, monthly-adjusted cost recovery mechanism.
- While the framework aligns with input-cost pass-through principles, its step-based design and limited transparency on underlying cost exposure suggest partial, rather than fully neutral, cost recovery.
Click the below links to download:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report