On 19 November 2024, the Port Elizabeth Car Terminal marked a major milestone when it handled Vessel Höegh Aurora on its first call to Africa. This advanced cargo-handling vessel, with a capacity of 9 100 vehicles, discharged 1 966 imported vehicles from the Bremerhaven and Santander ports in Germany and Spain, respectively.
“Welcoming Höegh Aurora is a proud moment for our terminal. It demonstrates our ability to manage high-volume shipments efficiently while showcasing our commitment to supporting South Africa’s automotive sector,” said Wandisa Vazi, Managing Executive for Transnet Port Terminals in the Eastern Cape region.
She added that collaborative efforts ensured seamless cargo handling and adherence to safety protocols which were essential for a vessel of this scale. “The terminal demonstrated its readiness through meticulous pre-arrival planning with shipping line representatives and the stevedoring company.”
As a critical hub in South Africa’s automotive logistics chain, the Port Elizabeth Car Terminal had in the last seven months of the 2024/2025 financial year, handled 8% more volumes than budgeted for the same period. The terminal has consistently exceeded operational targets, handling 114 041 fully built units (FBU) against budgeted volumes of 105 596 FBU. This achievement has demonstrated the terminal’s ability to attract global automakers and foster long-term partnerships.
After 16 hours of offloading, Vessel Höegh Aurora departed from Gqeberha to the Durban Car Terminal before returning to Europe.
