Our container terminals handled 13 888 TEUs on average every day, which was a little less than the 14 168 TEUs handled the week before. It is anticipated that a lower average of about 12 105 TEUs (↓13%) will be handled over the next week. Due to unfavorable weather, technical issues, and unoccupied berths, port operations have experienced a modest decrease in throughput this week. While equipment failures, bad weather, and a port meeting hindered optimal operational performance in Durban, bad weather and low visibility guaranteed operational issues in Cape Town. Operations at our Eastern Cape Ports were hampered by unoccupied berths, bad weather, and agent delays. At the same time, bad weather forced the Port of Richards Bay to give up a number of operating hours. According to the most recent TFR reports, intermittent cable theft is still happening on the line between Pretoria and Durban, and diesel hauling on the line is causing delays of up to 48 hours on the line between City Deep and Mafikeng. According to Maersk’s most recent reports, non-DG charcoal reservations will no longer be accepted as of October 1. Due to port delays, the CMA CGM Rio Grande 534N will not make the Port Louis Eastbound call.
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
1. Outcome of Transnet’s slot application process:
- Minister Creecy announced the successful allocation of rail slots to 11 new Train Operating Companies across 41 routes, expected to add 20 million tonnes annually from 2026/27.
- The reforms mark a decisive step towards open access, private sector investment, and improved efficiency – underscoring the need for continued restructuring, reform, and collaboration to boost logistics volumes.
2. Global container throughput:
- The top 30 global container ports show a substantial +7% (y/y) increase in throughput for H1 of 2025.
- The growth was almost universal, with only Hong Kong and Xiamen registering modest declines, while the majority of ports benefited from rising demand and capacity utilisation.
- The top 10 in the rankings remained unchanged, with the Port of Shanghai retaining the top spot at 27 million TEUs for H1 2025. Second was Singapore at 21,7 million, and third was Ningbo-Zhoushan at 21 million.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~13 888 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 581 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 954 containers, down by ↓47% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↑1,2 hrs; transit: ↑1,2 hrs; SA borders: ~10,7 hrs (↑16%); SADC: ~5,8 hrs (↑23%).
- The top 30 global container ports show a substantial ↑7% (y/y) increase in throughput for H1 of 2025.
Port operations – General:
- At our container terminals, an average of 13 888 TEUs was handled daily, a slight decrease from 14 168 TEUs the previous week.
- For the coming week, a decreased average of ~12 105 TEUs (↓13%) is predicted to be handled.
- The slight reduction in port throughput this week can be attributed mainly to port operations being characterised by inclement weather, equipment challenges, and vacant berths.
- Adverse weather, accompanied by poor visibility, ensured operational challenges in Cape Town, as equipment breakdowns, adverse weather, and a port meeting prevented optimal operational performance in Durban.
- Agent delays, adverse weather conditions, and vacant berths hindered operations at our Eastern Cape Ports.
- At the same time, several operational hours were conceded at the Port of Richards Bay due to inclement weather.
- The latest reports from TFR suggest that Intermittent cable theft is still occurring on the line between Pretoria and Durban, while the line between City Deep and Mafikeng is currently experiencing delays of up to 48 hours due to diesel hauling on the line.
- The latest reports from Maersk indicate that they will cease accepting non-DG charcoal bookings, effective 1 October.
- Meanwhile, the CMA CGM Rio Grande 534N will skip the Port Louis Eastbound call due to port delays.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report