14 168 TEUs were handled daily on average at our container terminals, which is a significant rise from 13 121 TEUs the week before. It is anticipated that a lower average of about 12,581 TEUs (↓11%) will be handled over the next week. Port operations were hampered by bad weather, empty berths, equipment failures, and shortages this week, despite increased throughput numbers. While strong swells, equipment difficulties, and bad weather guaranteed operational delays in Durban, adverse weather and malfunctioning reefers proved to be the primary operational impediments in Cape Town. Operations at our Eastern Cape Ports were affected by strong winds, empty berths, and personnel engagements; in the Port of Richards Bay, however, there were just minor delays. Operations were adversely affected this week because NCT facilitated shift engagements for all four shifts on August 13, 15, 18, and 19. According to TFR’s most recent reports, cable theft may have happened on the line between City Deep and Mafikeng earlier in the week, as well as on the line between Pretoria and Durban later in the week. No waiting times were noted for CTCT, CTMPT, NCT, DCT Pier 1, or Pier 2, according Maersk’s most current “South African Terminals Update.” On the other hand, PECT observed a waiting period of three days last week.
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
- South African port throughput sees massive gains in July:
- In July alone, Transnet Port Terminals handled nearly 100 000 more containers than the same period last year – a remarkable sign of recovery and improved terminal productivity after years of disruption.
- Year-to-date container throughput is now +0,3% above 2024 levels and only -2,1% below 2019 – a pre-pandemic baseline that signals how close South Africa is to a full return to normality. And the subsequent weeks’ throughput has continued to be high – which is encouraging for the full-month August numbers to follow.
- Lastly, bulk cargoes are down by -8% (m/m), but up by +3% (y/y) and up by +5,1% YTD.
- Global shipping:
- The global containership orderbook has surged to a record 10,4 million TEU – ~32% of the fleet – raising fears of a structural overcapacity reminiscent of the 2004–2009 glut.
- Container markets remain volatile: the US is experiencing “trade whiplash” from tariff-driven front-loading earlier in the year, while congestion and blank sailings remain stable.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~14 168 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 581 TEUs projected for next week.
- TNPA July: containers are up by ↑17% (m/m) and ↑30% (y/y). Total bulk: ↓8% (m/m) & ↑3% (y/y).
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 5 619 containers, up by ↑105% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↑0,2 hrs; transit: ↑0,1 hrs; SA borders: ~9,3 hrs (↓12%); SADC: ~4,7 hrs (↑7%).
Port operations – General:
- At our container terminals, an average of 14 168 TEUs was handled daily, a notable increase from 13 121 TEUs the previous week.
- For the coming week, a decreased average of ~12 581 TEUs (↓11%) is predicted to be handled.
- Despite higher throughput figures this week, port operations were hindered by inclement weather, vacant berths, as well as equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- Adverse weather and faulty reefers proved to be the main operational constraints in Cape Town, as high swells, equipment challenges, and inclement weather ensured operational delays in Durban.
- Strong winds, vacant berths, and staff engagements disrupted operations at our Eastern Cape Ports; however, minimal delays were reported at the Port of Richards Bay.
- This week, NCT facilitated shift engagements on 13, 15, 18, and 19 August for all four shifts, which negatively impacted operations.
- The latest reports from TFR suggest that cable theft occurred on the line between City Deep and Mafikeng during the earlier stages of the week, as well as on the line between Pretoria and Durban towards the end of the week.
- According to the most recent “South African Terminals Update” from Maersk, no waiting times were recorded for CTCT, CTMPT, NCT, DCT Pier 1, or Pier 2.
- Conversely, PECT recorded three days’ waiting time last week.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report