Port of Cape Town achieves operational turnaround ahead of fruit export season
Ten permanently deployed shore tension units have reduced long-wave-related downtime at the terminal by 92% since 2023/24.
SOUTH AFRICA – Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced significant operational improvements at the Port of Cape Town ahead of the 2026/27 deciduous fruit export season, including faster truck turnaround times, stronger rail performance, and a sharp drop in vessel waiting times.
The port handles around 80% of South Africa’s deciduous fruit exports, covering citrus, table grapes, apples, pears and stone fruit.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy reported that container volumes at the Cape Town container terminal rose 16% in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year compared with the same period last year.
Additionally, average truck turnaround time improved to 39.9 minutes, with year-to-date truck turnaround performance improving by 35%.
Rail performance improved by 82%, while average vessel waiting time fell from 115 hours to 44.3 hours. Meanwhile, container terminal ship turnaround time improved from 103 hours in 2023/24 to 55 hours year-to-date in the 2026/27 financial year.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Weather Mitigation
All 28 new rubber-tyred gantry cranes at the Cape Town container terminal are now operational. Four additional straddle carriers received in June have completed endurance testing and are approved for operation. Ten permanently deployed shore tension units have reduced long-wave-related downtime at the terminal by 92% since 2023/24.
Preparations for the fruit export season include ensuring sufficient reefer plug-point capacity and infrastructure to maintain the cold chain while export cargo is held at the terminal.
In addition, Transnet is working with the industry on vessel planning, cargo deliveries, stack management and recovery measures in the event of weather-related disruptions.
Extended periods of windbound conditions remain a particular risk for Cape Town. Therefore, Transnet Port Terminals is incorporating coordinated recovery measures into its planning.
Private Sector Participation and Future Outlook
Nine of the 11 terminals at the Port of Cape Town are privately operated. Requests for proposals have been issued for a multipurpose terminal and a floating dock facility as part of a broader push to use private-sector participation to modernize infrastructure and unlock additional capacity.
Creecy said: “Every participant has a role to play in ensuring the steady movement of cargo from farms and packhouses, through the port, and onwards to international markets.”
Altogether, the improvements reflect a coordinated effort to transform the port into a high-performing hub for the global market.
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