IN May 2025, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) exceeded its targets for the arrival, berthing and departure of vessels, in line with its shipping agreements, across three of its five container terminals, handling various set volumes on time.
The Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) achieved 96% compliance, while the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal (PECT) and the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) achieved 86% and 83%, respectively. The Durban Container Terminals (DCT) Pier 1 and Pier 2 continue ramping performance on the quayside. As such, DCT Pier 1 achieved 68% compliance, while DCT Pier 2 recorded 43%, but improvements have seen these two terminals improve to 100% and 50%, respectively in the first two weeks of June 2025. All terminals combined averaged a compliance rating of 80% in the first two weeks of June 2025.
TPT chief executive, Jabu Mdaki said, “Our ongoing recovery continues to yield positive results two months and two weeks into the new financial year, with zero vessels at anchor across all our container terminals over an extended period now.” He added that despite the delayed arrival of vessels owing to harsh weather conditions at sea, particularly affecting vessels from Europe and the Far East, year-on-year refrigerated container volumes for the 2025/2026 financial year were 5% higher as at the end of May 2025.
South Africa is in citrus season with its exports destined for over 100 markets. The beginning of the season last month was strong, according to Mdaki, with increased volumes anticipated with the availability of Berth 108 at DCT Pier 2 and later assembly of the purchased ship to shore cranes. “We are creating capacity to make South Africa win. It’s important to us to make our customers globally competitive,” said Mdaki.
