On average, 12 588 TEUs were handled per day at our container terminals, which is a little increase from the 12 213 TEUs handled the week before. It is anticipated that a somewhat lower average of ~12 275 TEUs (↓2%) will be handled over the next week. Unfavorable weather, empty berths, and ongoing equipment failures and shortages were the hallmarks of port operations. While Durban’s primary operational limitations were ongoing equipment failures and unfavorable weather, the Port of Cape Town had operational difficulties due to equipment issues and unoccupied berths. Our Eastern Cape Ports operations were mostly affected by bad weather, vessel ranging, and empty berths. On the other hand, this week’s bad weather mostly impacted operations at the Port of Richards Bay. According to Maersk’s most recent reports, the intended switch between the Maersk Cubango 521E and Hedwig Schulte 522E will not happen, and the Fleur N would not include Coega because to traffic and schedule problems in West Africa. Additionally, according to TFR’s most recent reports, cable theft on the Capital Park line close to Pretoria is still occurring. In addition, because of the unfavorable weather on Tuesday and Wednesday, three or four trees toppled down and onto the line between Durban and Mooi River. Last but certainly not least, Transnet has successfully reached a three-year salary agreement with SATAWU and UNTU, two of its recognized labor unions.
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
1. Consolidated TNPA cargoes for May show growth in bulk, containers still lagging.
- Bulk cargoes through South Africa’s ports are up by 6,4% YTD, invoking some optimism.
- Unfortunately, containers during the same period (January to May) are down by 4,1%, as despite some encouraging signs in the container sector — including the arrival of new equipment, better stack fluidity at key terminals, and early indications of industry collaboration — we remain well short of a full recovery.
2. Transnet Wage Agreement with recognised Unions
- Transnet has concluded a three-year wage agreement with UNTU and SATAWU, providing for annual increases of 6% from 2025/26 to 2027/28 (cumulative 18%), and including enhancements to benefits such as pension contributions, medical aid subsidies, and housing allowances.
- The agreement, facilitated by the CCMA, ensures labour stability and medium-term operational certainty, thereby supporting Transnet’s focus on recovery, performance, and long-term strategy, and crucially, averting the risk of strike-related disruptions to the logistics system.
3. Continued growth in the South African air cargo industry:
- In May, international air cargo volumes increased month-on-month at Johannesburg (7%), and decreased at Cape Town (-3%) and Durban (-7% ). Year-on-year, cargo is up at all terminals (Johannesburg at 6%, Cape Town 12%, and Durban at 25%) compared to 2024.
- Moreover, the year-to-date cargo is now 5% above the same period last year, which points to continued growth for the air cargo sector.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~12 588 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 275 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 1 641 containers, down by ↓53% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: no change; transit: ↓0,1 hrs; SA borders: 9,3 hrs (↑11%); SADC: 4,7 hrs (no change).
- Global container throughput outlook revised down with four-quarter average rate moderating to ↑5,8%.
Port operations – General:
- At our container terminals, an average of 12 588 TEUs was handled daily, increasing slightly from 12 213 TEUs the previous week.
- For the coming week, a slightly decreased average of ~12 275 TEUs (↓2%) is predicted to be handled.
- Port Operations were characterised by adverse weather, vacant berths, as well as continuous equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- Equipment challenges and vacant berths ensured operational disruptions at the Port of Cape Town, while the main operational constraints in Durban proved to be continuous equipment breakdowns and adverse weather.
- Inclement weather, vessel ranging, and vacant berths mainly impacted our Eastern Cape Ports operations.
- In contrast, operations at the Port of Richards Bay were primarily affected by poor weather this week.
- The latest reports from Maersk suggest that the planned swap between the Maersk Cubango 521E and Hedwig Schulte 522E will no longer take place, while the Fleur N will omit Coega due to congestion and schedule delays experienced in West Africa.
- Furthermore, the latest reports from TFR suggest that Cable theft continues on the Capital Park line near Pretoria.
- At the same time, three or four trees fell over and onto the line between Durban and Mooi River between Tuesday and Wednesday due to the adverse weather experienced.
- Lastly, and very importantly, Transnet has successfully concluded a three-year wage agreement with its recognised labour unions, UNTU and SATAWU.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report