SOUTH AFRICA – TNPA RECORDS SUSTAINED OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PORT OF CAPE TOWN

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has recorded significant operational improvements at the Port of Cape Town, demonstrating sustained progress in terminal performance, reduced Ship Turnaround Time (STAT) and increased volume throughput across key commodity sectors.

The Port of Cape Town has achieved consistent year-on-year improvements in Container Terminal STAT, decreasing from 103 hours in the 2023/24 financial year to 83 hours in 2024/25 and further improving to 74 hours in 2025/26. This year’s performance 2026/27 has continued this positive trajectory, with year-to-date STAT averaging 58 hours. Vessels are spending significantly less time waiting at anchorage. Average anchorage waiting times have reduced from 127 hours in the 2023/24 financial year to 79 hours in 2025/26.

These gains have been driven by improved terminal handling rates and the elimination of marine related delays, providing a clear indication of sustained operational recovery and improved reliability at the port.

Cargo volumes during the 2025/26 financial year reflected strong performance across key commodity sectors, while also responding to changing market conditions:

• Container volumes increased by 6.5% compared to 2024/25 financial year, supported by a record performance on deep-sea import and export volumes.
• Liquid Bulk volumes grew by 10.3% year-on-year, driven by higher petroleum imports and strong coastwise export activity.
• Dry Bulk volumes were influenced by favourable local harvests and improved domestic grain availability, which reduced the Western Cape’s reliance on imported grain. Lower maize and barley imports resulted in a 42.8% year-on-year decline in dry bulk volumes.
• Break Bulk volumes increased by 25.5% year-on-year.

The port continues to advance private sector participation. Currently, nine out of eleven terminals are privately operated. To further support this initiative, new requests for proposals are planned for a Multipurpose Terminal as well as a floating dock facility aimed at expanding ship repair capacity.

Strategic infrastructure interventions have further supported operational performance, including ten permanently deployed shore tension units at the Cape Town Container Terminal. The units have reduced long-wave-related downtime by 92% since the 2023/24 financial year.

“The Port of Cape Town continues to make measurable progress in improving operational performance and service delivery. These gains demonstrate the impact of targeted interventions, infrastructure investment and strong collaboration with terminal operators and industry stakeholders. We remain focused on building a resilient, efficient and globally competitive port that supports economic growth and trade facilitation,” said Ophelia Shabane, Acting Port Manager for the Port of Cape Town.

The improvements are aligned with Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth strategy, which prioritises fixing and optimising the business to improve operational efficiencies and enable sustainable long-term growth.

Source : TNPA