The authoritative body, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), is investigating the causes of transport congestion in front of the Port of Durban on Bayhead Road. These queues of heavy trucks are affecting the landside operations of the container terminal. This situation was briefly mentioned by TNPA during the presentation of an operational overview to the Portfolio Committee on Transport on Tuesday.
Social media shows a large number of trucks along Umbilo Road, Sydney Road, South Coast Junction, and Solomon Mahlangu Drive in Durban.
Key Issues
Mohammed Abdul, CEO of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), highlighted several problems, including outdated infrastructure and equipment, constant traffic jams, low efficiency, the arrival of larger vessels exceeding port limits, as well as weak connectivity with inland areas and rail transport.
Abdul also addressed the issue of delayed and reactive maintenance within TNPA. He noted that TNPA faces resource constraints regarding critical spare parts, as well as supply chain delays. Furthermore, TNPA has gaps in information and communication technology (ICT) and technological equipment.
'Reinvent for Growth' Strategy
Regarding maritime transport delays at the Durban Gateway Terminal (DGT), Abdul stated the need to invest in ship-to-shore cranes and stackers. TNPA is studying the issue related to the Port of Durban and congestion outside the terminals.
Abdul discussed TNPA's 'Reinvent for Growth' (R4G) strategy, which aims to correct and optimize TNPA's operations, restore operational excellence, and improve port efficiency. Plans include improving vessel turnaround metrics within the port system to reduce logistics costs.
TNPA is also working on deepening berths at the Durban Container Terminal to accommodate vessels with greater drafts. There are plans to increase the capacity of the Cape Town Container Terminal to 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).
Additionally, TNPA is considering replacing dry dock cranes in Durban, East London, and Cape Town. There are also plans to launch a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and create additional capacity for fresh products and liquid cargo in Richards Bay.
TNPA intends to relocate manganese exports from Port Elizabeth to Ngqura. The company is also developing a development project for Boegoebaai port, considered a strategic initiative in the 'green field' of the Northern Cape, aimed at unlocking regional economic potential through supporting bulk cargo exports, ensuring future green energy and industrial development.
Vessel Turnaround Time
According to TNPA statistics on vessel turnaround time up to July 2026, the average waiting time at berth 1 of the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) was 61 hours, and at berth 2 it was 99 hours.
Abdul explained that the productivity of berth 1 DCT in Durban suffered from weather-related stoppages and equipment breakdowns, which reduced crane utilization. Additionally, two cranes were undergoing planned maintenance.
Berth 2 DGT also recorded equipment failures, reduced crane availability due to scheduled maintenance, refrigerator malfunctions, tidal restrictions, and difficulties handling medium and large batches during the peak season for refrigerated transport.
In Algoa Bay (NCT), recurring failures of Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, issues with handling refrigerated containers by ship crews, adverse weather conditions, high tides, jamming of turning locks on older vessels, changes in loading sequence, and system and power supply failures were also observed.
According to TNPA, Port Elizabeth (PECT) showed good results against targets, supported by large cargo consignments, with most vessels carrying over 1000 TEU, despite difficulties caused by bad weather and equipment failures affecting STS cranes and stackers.
Abdul emphasized: 'Weather remains the primary systemic risk causing most delays in six out of eight ports. Durban is a key area requiring intervention, as maritime services account for 16% of delayed movements and have the lowest on-time receipt rate. Weather remained the main cause of delays in most ports. Despite these challenges, Richards Bay, Cape Town, and Saldanha Bay maintained high service reliability.'
A Durban police representative, Colonel Boyce Zungu, reported that they are dealing with the congestion daily and will provide a more detailed operational response from regional commands soon.