South African Ports Enter a New Phase
Shipping through South Africa has been turbulent in recent years, with congestion, weather delays, and infrastructure challenges disrupting supply chains. But in 2025, the tide is turning. Thanks to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), a large-scale recovery and investment programme is reshaping the country’s major maritime gateways.
From Durban to Cape Town and Richards Bay, improvements in infrastructure, weather management, and cold chain reliability are already shortening waiting times and boosting confidence among shippers.
In this Blog:
- The Current State of Play: What’s Actually Happening
- System-Wide Improvements Across South African Ports
- September 2025 Shipping Outlook
- Key Takeaways for Cargo Owners
- A Brighter Future for South African Trade
The Current State of Play: What’s Actually Happening
South Africa’s port network handles the vast majority of the continent’s container traffic, making these improvements absolutely crucial for regional trade. The multi-track recovery programme addresses everything from basic infrastructure repairs to cutting-edge weather prediction systems, and the results are starting to show in the numbers.
Let’s unpack what projects have commenced, are in progress and have been completed; and how this will positively impact the posturing of South African ports.
Durban Port: South Africa’s Workhorse Under Transformation
Durban remains the busiest container hub in sub-Saharan Africa. 2025 marks its biggest upgrade cycle in years, which will have significant consequences and long-lasting positive impacts.
Infrastructure Upgrades
- Bayhead Road Rehabilitation (Phase 2): Has moved into Phase 2 as of August 2025. Improvements aim to enhance drainage and improve access to withstand KwaZulu-Natal’s stormy conditions.
- Maydon Wharf Berth Deepening: Deepening and berth strengthening programme focusing on Berths 5–11 and 15. While an ambitious ten-year plan, this is crucial to handle larger vessels and improve safety margins.
Equipment Upgrades
In addition to the Infrastructure Upgrade Programme, Transnet has made significant investments into new equipment, including 20 straddle carriers, 9 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, 4 ship-to-shore cranes, 40 hauliers and 67 trailers. These are major investments in addition to the 5 new tugboats which came into service last year, undoubtedly signalling a serious commitment to Transnet’s commitment to a robust recovery plan.
Waiting Times
- Typically, 2–6 days in July–August 2025.
- Some carriers report 1–2 days under favourable conditions.
Why It Matters
Improved Road access and deeper berths mean faster truck turnaround times, fewer bottlenecks, and greater reliability. Private sector participation is also expected to accelerate equipment renewal, which means more reliable service levels going forward.
Cape Town: Battling the Cape Doctor Winds
Cape Town’s container terminal has always had a love-hate relationship with the famous “Cape Doctor” winds. Whilst locals appreciate the cooling breeze, cargo owners are less enthusiastic about the 1,200 hours of wind-related downtime it causes annually.
Innovative Solutions
- Hydraulic shore-tension units: The port is investing in 20 hydraulic shore-tension units to stabilise vessels during high swells and winds; these can be considered as maritime shock absorbers.
- Helicopter piloting services: Improving safety during adverse conditions.
- Predictive wind modelling with CSIR: Smarter scheduling to minimise downtime.
Cold Chain Enhancements
- The terminal has added extra reefer plug points and backup generators
- These are intended to safeguard fruit and perishable exports.
Waiting Times
- Up to 3 days in good weather.
- 6–10+ days during winter cold fronts.
Richards Bay: The Rising Container Alternative
Known primarily for bulk cargo, Richards Bay is now emerging as a container gateway.
- New Container Facility: R285 million concession project to increase capacity from 50,000 TEU to 200,000 TEU by 2028.
- This expansion is particularly significant as it provides a Northern KwaZulu-Natal alternative to Durban, potentially easing congestion during peak periods and offering importers and exporters more options.
Eastern Cape Ports: Small but Strategic
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
- Reliable schedule adherence.
- Waiting times: 0–2 days, supported by nearby Ngqura, helping to absorb transhipment peaks.
East London
- R60 million automotive terminal upgrade completed.
- Can now accommodate two new-generation car carriers.
- Annual handling capacity expanded to 790,000 vehicles, which represents a major boost for South Africa’s motor industry.
Ngqura
- Emerging as a deep-water transhipment hub.
- Recently handled the MSC Nicola Mastro, one of the world’s largest container ships.
- Waiting times: 0–1 day under stable conditions.
Saldanha Bay: Leveraging Natural Depths
Africa’s largest natural deep-water port is focusing on long-term resilience.
- Development of marine engineering precincts to localise maintenance.
- Transnet Engineering is driving local manufacture of port equipment.
System-Wide Improvements Across South African Ports
Beyond individual ports, Transnet’s national strategy includes:
- Road Infrastructure: Comprehensive road rehabilitation programmes are improving truck safety and reducing landside delays.
- Equipment Upgrades: Rising vessel-handling compliance across terminals, supported by targeted equipment additions.
- Weather Management: New technologies to minimise weather-related disruptions.
- Cold Chain Reliability: Enhanced temperature-controlled facilities reduce cargo risk.
- Public-Private Partnerships: The Richards Bay container facility serves as a template for future private sector involvement.
September 2025 Shipping Outlook
Based on current trends, here’s what shipping professionals should plan for:
- Durban: 1–6 days depending on weather and terminal conditions.
- Cape Town: Up to 3 days in fair weather conditions, longer during winter winds.
- Ngqura: Typically 0–1 day.
- Port Elizabeth: 0–2 days with scheduled maintenance.
- Other ports: Generally, schedule-driven with occasional weather delays.
Key Takeaways for Cargo Owners
South Africa’s ports are not without challenges, but the trajectory is decisively positive.
Strategic Recommendations:
- Monitor carrier advisories for real-time updates.
- Book earlier during weather-prone seasons (Cape Town in winter).
- Explore Ngqura and Richards Bay as strategic alternatives to Durban.
- Use improved cold chain facilities in Cape Town for sensitive exports.
A Brighter Future for South African Trade
Whilst South Africa’s port system isn’t entirely out of the woods yet, the trajectory is undeniably positive. The combination of infrastructure improvements, equipment upgrades, and innovative solutions is creating a more resilient and efficient network.
For cargo owners and logistics professionals, the practical implications are clear: shorter queues, more reliable scheduling, better cold chain protection, and increased capacity where it’s needed most. The addition of containerised capacity at Richards Bay will provide valuable alternatives to Durban, whilst Ngqura’s proven ability to handle ULCVs opens up new possibilities for mainline services.
Contact Turners Shipping today for customised weekly updates on South African port conditions, ETA watchlists, wind alerts, and berth windows.
Gregory Marks
Business Development & Transformation Manager
Turners Shipping