Container movement at South Africa’s port terminals has rebounded, reaching a daily average of 8,246 containers, according to the latest Container Movement Update by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) and Business Unity South Africa (Busa). This represents a notable recovery after a two-week decline, during which the daily average fell from 6,747 on August 23 to 6,537 by August 30. The improvement by September 6 reflects a significant 26.1% increase in activity.
However, port operations along South Africa’s coast continue to be disrupted by adverse weather conditions, particularly in Table Bay, where frequent windbound situations have affected movement. The report cited “adverse weather, high swells, and equipment breakdowns” as the key factors limiting port efficiency. Additionally, operational challenges such as network issues and a stranded vessel at Berth 601 in Cape Town were identified as major obstacles.
The Port of Durban has also experienced setbacks due to bad weather. Earle Peters, the chief executive for terminals, confirmed to Freight News that volatile swells have caused significant delays. One vessel, in particular, was delayed by 31 hours as a result of high swells.
In the Eastern Cape, strong winds and stormy seas impacted container operations at the ports of Port Elizabeth and Ngqura. On land, the Durban-Gauteng corridor also faced disruptions, with limited rail operations reported on the ConCor line. Despite these challenges, the Saaff/Busa report noted that efforts are underway to restore full functionality to the affected routes and terminals.
