Due to equipment shortages and unfavorable weather conditions, port operations were significantly disrupted this week. Strong winds, large swells, and vessel range caused major disruptions to operations this week in Cape Town, while unfavorable weather combined with equipment failures guaranteed operational delays in Durban. Due to unfavorable weather and crane malfunctions, our Eastern Cape Ports lost more than 50 operating hours. There was a truck surge at the Port of Richards Bay, which resulted in trucks being parked on public roadways. This Thursday, the Fayston Farms finally berthed in Durban after spending almost 26 days at anchor. In addition, as previously announced, the ConCor’s yearly closure began this week.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~6 537 containers was handled per day, with ~8 365 containers projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 976 containers, up ↑2% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: no change; transit: ↑1,2 hrs; SA borders: 15,8 hrs (↑40%); SADC: 5,7 hrs (↑19%).
- Schedule reliability is down by ↓2,1% (m/m) and ↓12% (y/y). Late arrivals are at 5,24 days.
- Container rates dropped by ↓2,6% ($138) to $5 181/40ft and are expected to drop ↓70% by June 2025.
- Global air cargo for July shows a ↑9% increase in capacity and a ↑7% growth YTD.
Port operations – General:
- Port operations were severely impacted by adverse weather conditions this week, accompanied by equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- Operations in Cape Town were severely disrupted this week due to strong winds, high swells, and vessel ranging, while inclement weather conditions accompanied by equipment breakdowns ensured operational delays in Durban
- Over 50 operational hours were lost at our Eastern Cape Ports due to adverse weather and crane breakdowns.
- The Port of Richards Bay experienced an influx of trucks, leading to trucks being staged on public roads.
- The Fayston Farms eventually berthed in Durban this week after waiting at anchor for approximately 26 days.
- Furthermore, the annual shutdown on the ConCor started this week, as previously communicated.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report