The dismal performance of South African ports in a new global ranking is yet another blackeye to Transnet’s National Port Authority. According to World Bank and S&P Global’s latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), four major South African ports rank at the very foot of the table.
Worse still, Coega and Durban are ranked second-to-last and last, at number 402 and 403 respectively. An embarrassing indictment on the state of South African ports. Especially as Durban is the country’s busiest gateway and a vital hub for the country’s economy.
DISMAL SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS
According to CPPI 2024, South African ports are hamstrung by ageing equipment and the longest wait times in the world. The index’s main measure is the time container ships spend in port for offloading. Because, “Timely turnaround is crucial to keep logistics costs low and supply chains efficient,” says the World Bank.
Nevertheless, the report does also justify that South African ports were put under immense strain in 2024 due to the Red Sea crisis. Unforeseen shipments put capacity and operational efficiency to the test. However, it is worth noting that Cape Town (400) and Port Elizabeth (395) didn’t rank much higher:
| PORT | RANKING (out of 403) |
| Durban | 403 |
| Coega | 402 |
| Cape Town | 400 |
| Port Elizabeth | 395 |
BIG INVESTMENT
Nevertheless, government says it has invested heavily in the port in Cape Town especially. New cranes, upgraded warehousing capacity, hydraulic shore-tension units and predictive wind modelling should show improvements in the coming years. Meanwhile, operational reforms, new tugboats, ship-to-shore cranes and trailers have been added to Durban.
Moreover, Transnet says daily operational meetings and new container management systems have enhanced turnaround efficiency. Likewise, “Requests for proposals from the private sector at the Durban Container Terminal further signals an ambition to align with global best practices,” concluded Transnet.
