Nobody needs reminding of what happened two years ago. The November 2023 backlogs at the Port of Durban were among the worst South Africa has seen. Some 79 vessels and 61 000 containers were stuck at outer anchorage, as berthing delays stretched to 18 days – more than triple the norm.
Now, two years later, the narrative has changed.
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has published encouraging reports in recent months. In July, TPT handled 101 295 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in one week, 15% above its recovery plan target, it reported.
In August, it moved 18 689 TEUs in a single day – the highest daily volume recorded since the Covid-19 pandemic. Then in September, it recorded a single-week throughput figure of 103 086 TEUs.
Waiting times slashed
“It’s good news,” said Thinus Ferreira, Chief Operating Officer at Dolphin Bay. “Take the deepwater Port of Ngqura, for example – the main port used by Dolphin Bay. The current wait for ships to enter the port is now down to between zero and one day.
“It’s been like that for the past three to four months – and it’s part of a bigger picture of improved performance across South Africa’s ports.”
Speaking to Freight News, Dr Jacob van Rensburg, Head of Research and Development at the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) said the ports’ productivity had “set new performance records in recent weeks… and in July, volumes were up by a significant 30% year-on-year”.
“Transnet definitely has its operational ducks in more of a row.”
Are we seeing the first signs of success for Phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela? The government’s ambitious reform initiative aims to transform South Africa’s freight logistics system by focusing on port performance, efficiency, and private sector participation.
“It’s still early days, and we have also had favourable weather this winter,” said Thinus. “But there’s no doubt – Transnet has its operational ducks more in a row.”
Minister “working around the clock”
“We also know that Transport Minister Barbara Creecy is working around the clock to turn state enterprises around, and I think we’re already seeing the results at our ports.”
The positive mood around South Africa’s ports is buoyed by other developments, which point to sustained – and sustainable – growth. The increased privatisation of port operations is a significant part of this. MSC, the world’s largest container shipping operator, was recently announced as one of 10 private companies that have been provisionally allocated slots to operate freight services on Transnet’s rail network.
“The first private trains will start running in 2026, with full implementation only expected by 2028,” said Thinus. “But it’s big news. The World Bank has identified private investment as one of the pillars that South Africa has to get right in order to rebuild our economy. Bringing 10 private companies into this sphere means greater focus on efficiencies and throughput. That creates an environment conducive to sustainable growth.”
Another source of long-term optimism is the infrastructure improvements at key ports. In July, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) berthed MSC’s Nicola Mastra at Ngqura, as Engineering News reported. At 400 metres and 24 166 TEU, it was the largest vessel ever to berth at South Africa’s only purpose-built deepwater trans-shipment port.
“That was a tremendous achievement,” said Thinus. “Before that, the largest vessels to berth at Ngqura were in the 366-metre class range. This proves that Ngqura – and South Africa – has the capacity, the equipment and the people to handle vessels that would typically pass through the Suez Canal.
The influence of conflict
“With the conflict in the Middle East and around the Horn of Africa, big shipping companies will now be considering routing their cargo via South Africa. If they do, it should translate into greater availability and more favourable rates coming into South Africa. It opens up a whole new part of our logistics economy.”
Meanwhile, the ports authority has also announced the development of an R285 million container-handling facility at the Port of Richards Bay – a project that will increase the port’s annual container handling capacity from 50 000 to 200 000 TEUs and diversify its cargo profile.
“Should Durban ever experience what it did in 2023, we’ll have another option on South Africa’s east coast”
“Again, although we won’t see the results immediately, it’s very good news,” said Thinus. “When it becomes operational in 2028, it will give us a totally new port that is able to handle containerised cargo – and not just bulk cargo, which is Richards Bay’s current focus. That will help to ease congestion in peak periods, and it means that, should Durban ever experience what it did in 2023, we’ll have another option on South Africa’s east coast.”
Dolphin Bay is both an importer and an exporter, so – as Thinus pointed out – we see both sides of the logistics story. “And what I’m seeing right now is very positive,” he said. “Earlier this year we heard reports that there were literally zero vessels waiting outside Ngqura, whereas at one stage you might have seen 20 to 50 vessels waiting at sea. That’s a result of the efficiencies at the port.
“And it looks like things will get even better in the coming months.”
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