Operationally, fewer containers were handled each day on average (7,051) than the 8 396 containers handled the previous week. The main factors limiting port operations were bad weather, traffic, equipment failures, and shortages. The primary operational limitation in Cape Town this week was adverse weather, while ongoing equipment failures, traffic, and bad weather guaranteed operational delays in Durban. At our Eastern Cape Ports, strong winds, large swells, and an empty berth hindered optimal port performance; at the Port of Richards Bay, there were just minor delays. The three primary data centers around the country that Transnet uses for wide area network connectivity underwent a network update this week. Furthermore, TFR sent out very few reports this week.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~7 051 containers was handled per day, with ~8 115 containers projected for next week.
- TNPA stats for September: containers are up by ↑15% (m/m), ↑20% (y/y) and ↑9% versus 2019. Bulk volumes are also up by ↑15% (m/m) and ↑14% (y/y). Vehicles are slightly down (↓5%, m/m and ↓3%, y/y).
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 574 containers, down ↓3% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↑1,8 hrs; transit: ↑1,5 hrs; SA borders: 16,3 hrs (↑50%); SADC: 5,3 hrs (↑23%).
- Global air cargo volumes rose by ↑2% (w/w), with notable gains in Africa (↑4%) and Asia Pacific (↑6%).
Port operations – General:
- Operationally, an average of 7 051 containers was handled per day, down compared to the 8 396 containers last week.
- Port operations were mainly constrained by adverse weather conditions, congestion, equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- Adverse weather conditions represented the main operational constraint in Cape Town this week, while persisting equipment breakdowns, congestion, and inclement weather ensured operational delays in Durban.
- Strong winds, high swells, and a vacant berth hampered optimal port performance at our Eastern Cape Ports, while minimal delays were reported at the Port of Richards Bay.
- This week, Transnet conducted a network upgrade at the three main data centres nationally, which it utilises for its wide area network connectivity.
- Additionally, minimal reports were received from TFR this week.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report