Another record average of 14 727 TEUs were handled daily at our container terminals, surpassing the previous record week ending July 20 by ↑1,7%. The previous week’s average was 13 842 TEUs. It is anticipated that a lower average of about 12,026 TEUs (↓18%) will be handled over the next week. Even with the record throughput, fluidity was nevertheless limited by several operational issues. These consist of bad weather, empty berths, and equipment failures and shortages. Strong winds, equipment failures, and traffic in Durban guaranteed operational difficulties, while unfavorable weather and empty berths forced many operating hours to be given up in Cape Town. While there were only minor delays at the Port of Richards Bay this week, agent delays, unoccupied berths, and bad weather caused operational delays at our Eastern Cape ports. According to TFR’s most recent reports, continuous cable theft and diesel hauling are causing delays on the line between City Deep and Mafikeng. At the conclusion of the week, there was a strike in Durban’s taxi business, which affected port operations.
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
1. Transnet FY2025 results:
- Performance improved, as revenue rose +7,8% to R82,7bn, EBITDA grew +39% to R30,6bn, and the annual loss narrowed significantly to R1,9bn.
- Operational progress, but more to do, as throughput improved across rail and automotive, while container and pipeline volumes highlight areas still requiring focused attention.
- Financial resilience mixed: Debt remains high at R144,8bn and legal/irregular expenditure challenges persist, though increased capital investment in ports and rail infrastructure is an encouraging step forward.
2. Global container throughput:
- Global throughput is up by +3,0% monthly in July, and by +5,1% annually – close to the record 16,7 million TEUs.
- SSA imports up +3,8%, and exports +1,9%; although the focus remains on North America, registering a fourth consecutive month of declines in exports, as the world is adjusting to the tariffs imposed by President Trump.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~14 727 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 581 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 2 756 containers, down by ↓17% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↓0,3 hrs; transit: ↑0,1 hrs; SA borders: ~10,3 hrs (↓11%); SADC: ~5,7 hrs (↑4%).
Port operations – General:
- At our container terminals, another record average of 14 727 TEUs was handled daily (eclipsing the previous record week ending 20 July by ↑1,7%), an increase from 13 842 TEUs the previous week.
- For the coming week, a decreased average of ~12 026 TEUs (↓18%) is predicted to be handled.
- Despite the record throughput, some operational matters still constrained fluidity.
- These include inclement weather, vacant berths, as well as equipment breakdowns and shortages.
- Several operational hours were conceded in Cape Town due to adverse weather conditions and vacant berths, while strong winds, equipment breakdowns, and congestion ensured operational disruptions in Durban.
- Agent delays, vacant berths, and inclement weather resulted in operational delays at our Eastern Cape Ports, as minimal delays were reported at the Port of Richards Bay this week.
- The latest reports from TFR suggest that delays are still being experienced on the line between City Deep and Mafikeng due to ongoing cable theft and diesel hauling.
- Towards the end of the week, the taxi industry had a strike in Durban, which subsequently impacted operations at the port.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report