After a few weeks of high volume, our container terminals handled an average of only 11 438 TEUs per day, compared to 14 161 TEUs the week before. It is anticipated that a higher average of around 12,581 TEUs (↑10%) will be handled over the next week. Port operations were once again characterized by bad weather, empty berths, staff engagements, and equipment issues, which may have contributed to the decrease in throughput. While equipment failures, employee conflicts, and bad weather were the primary operational limitations in Durban, vessel ranging, large swells, and unfavorable weather conditions guaranteed operational delays in Cape Town. At our Eastern Cape Ports, operational performance was hampered by agent delays and unoccupied berths. At the same time, unfavorable weather and difficulties with marine equipment had the most effects on operations at the Port of Richards Bay. According to the most recent TPT reports, starting on August 1, 10 bays at the Interchange Zone (ITZ) 205 will be temporarily decommissioned for necessary concrete surface repairs. According to Maersk’s most recent reports, delays in the West Africa port rotation would cause the W7A Fruit Bridge service to skip Coega in the upcoming weeks. According to the same rumors, the Santa Rita 252S/252N will contact PECT after Durban to offer export reefer coverage in the Eastern Cape, whereas the MSC Carmen skipped the Port of PE this week. Furthermore, according to TFR’s most recent reports, there was another derailment at Thornwood on the Durban–Johannesburg line at the end of the week.
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
1. IMF’s July 2025 update revises global growth upward to +3% for 2025:
- The key drivers were unexpected front-loading of trade and investment activity in anticipation of higher tariffs, looser financial conditions, and fiscal expansion in key economies.
- Nevertheless, tariff-related uncertainty remains elevated.
- South Africa is forecast to grow at +1,0% for 2025 – unchanged from the April forecast.
2. US tariffs & impact on SA:
- A 10% global minimum tariff now applies broadly, with elevated rates – up to 50% – targeting economies with large US trade surpluses.
- For South Africa, the impact is direct and acute – most exports now face a punitive 30% duty, up from zero under AGOA preferences, jeopardising R80 billion in bilateral trade.
3. Air cargo operational update:
- Air cargo handlers remain very concerned about the ongoing lack of clarity from ACSA regarding the occupation, management, and operating model of the proposed R5,7 billion midfield cargo terminal at OR Tambo.
- IATA reveals that African carriers face steep structural cost disadvantages compared to global peers, as cost per available tonne-kilometre (CATK) for African airlines is nearly 140 USD cents, about twice the global average.
Key Notes:
- An average of ~11 438 TEUs was handled per day, with ~12 581 TEUs projected for next week.
- Rail cargo handled out of Durban was reported at 3 134 containers, up by ↑24% from last week.
- Cross-border queue: ↓0,1 hrs; transit: unchanged; SA borders: ~11,6 hrs (↑2%); SADC: ~4,7 hrs (↓2%).
- The IMF’s July 2025 “World Economic Outlook” update revises global growth upward to ↑3,0% for 2025.
- Global container throughput growth has been revised upwards to grow by ↑2,6% in 2025.
Port operations – General:
- At our container terminals, after several weeks of elevated throughput, a significantly reduced average of 11 438 TEUs was handled daily, down from 14 161 TEUs the previous week.
- For the coming week, an increased average of ~12 581 TEUs (↑10%) is predicted to be handled.
- The reduction in throughput could be attributed to the fact that inclement weather, vacant berths, staff engagements, and equipment challenges once again characterised port operations.
- Vessel ranging, high swells, and adverse weather ensured operational delays in Cape Town, while equipment breakdowns, staff engagements, and inclement weather proved to be the main operational constraints in Durban.
- Agent delays and vacant berths disrupted operational performance at our Eastern Cape Ports.
- At the same time, operations at the Port of Richards Bay were primarily impacted by adverse weather and marine equipment challenges.
- The latest reports from TPT suggest that ten bays at the Interchange Zone (ITZ) 205 will be temporarily taken out of commission for essential concrete surface repairs from 1 August.
- The latest reports from Maersk suggest that the W7A Fruit Bridge service will omit Coega in the following weeks due to delays experienced in the West Africa port rotation.
- The same reports indicate that the MSC Carmen omitted the Port of PE this week, while the Santa Rita 252S/252N will call PECT after Durban to provide export reefer coverage in the Eastern Cape.
- Additionally, the latest reports from TFR suggest that another derailment occurred near Thornwood on the line between Durban and Johannesburg towards the end of the week.
Read more:
Cargo Movement Report – Full Report
Cargo Movement Report – Summary Report