During the past week, an average of approximately 7,940 containers were processed daily, with an estimated 8,061 containers expected for the coming week. According to TNPA statistics for August, container volumes rose by 14% month-on-month but were down 7% year-on-year and 14% compared to 2019. Bulk cargo remained steady with a 0.2% increase from July, though dry bulk decreased by 11%, liquid bulk rose by 4%, and vehicle shipments fell by 12%. Rail cargo out of Durban reached 2,154 containers, a 3% increase from the previous week. Cross-border queues saw a slight increase of 0.6 hours, while transit times dropped by 1.2 hours. Border waiting times decreased by 18% at South African borders and by 30% at SADC borders, averaging 11.1 hours and 5.1 hours, respectively. Container shipping rates decreased by 7.5% ($607), trading at $4,168 per 40-foot container, marking a $1,260 drop over the past month. Global air cargo tonnages saw a slight decline of 1%, with rates currently at $2.48 per kilogram.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~7 940 containers was handled per day, with ~8 061 containers projected for next week.
- TNPA stats for August: containers are up by ↑14% (m/m) but by ↓7% (y/y) and ↓14% versus 2019. Bulk: similar to July (up by ↑0,2%), but down yearly (dry bulk – ↓11%), liquid bulk (↑4%) and vehicles (↓12%)
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 154 containers, up ↑3% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↑0,6 hrs; transit: ↓1,2 hrs; SA borders: 11,1 hrs (↓18%); SADC: 5,1 hrs (↓30%).
- Container rates dropped by ↓7,5% (or $607), trading at $4 168/40ft – down by $1 260 in the last month.
- Global tonnages air cargo tonnages dropped slightly this week (↓1%). Rates are at $2,48 per kilogram.
Port operations – General:
- Adverse weather, network outages, and equipment breakdowns constrained operations at our national ports.
- In Cape Town, port operations were mainly constrained by strong winds and the berthed distress vessel, while adverse weather and equipment challenges ensured operational delays in Durban this week.
- Strong winds and high swells were the most prominent delays experienced in the Eastern Cape region, as adverse weather conditions and landside congestion disrupted port operations in Richards Bay.
- Additionally, upon completion of the annual shutdown of the ConCor, the rail network was met with extensive cable theft and a derailment on the line.
- Finally, the latest reports suggest that the distressed vessel, which berthed at berth 601 at CTCT on 2 September, is anticipated to vacate the berth around 16 September.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report