All Other Republic Of South Africa Ports, South Africa

Port Overview

South Africa’s other major ports include Saldanha Bay, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Ngqura (Coega), and East London. Saldanha Bay is the largest and deepest natural harbour, vital for bulk exports and the oil and gas sector. Mossel Bay supports offshore oil operations. Port Elizabeth and Ngqura are key multi-cargo and container ports, with Ngqura handling up to 2 million TEU annually and serving as a strategic hub near the Coega Industrial Development Zone. East London, the only river port, specializes in automotive exports and handles around 90,000 TEU per year. These ports collectively bolster South Africa’s trade connectivity and industrial growth.

Facilities & Infrastructure

South Africa’s other main ports—Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay, and Richards Bay—feature specialized terminals for containers, dry and liquid bulk, automotive, grain, and fishing. Key facilities include container berths with modern gantry cranes, Ro-Ro terminals, large grain silos, and drydocks for ship repair. Equipment includes ship-to-shore cranes, straddle carriers, and bulk-handling systems. These ports support efficient cargo handling and maintenance, complementing the country’s major port network.

Container Terminals

South Africa’s other container ports—Cape Town, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth, and East London—feature a combined total of around 15 container berths. Annual capacity is approximately 2.5 million TEU. Automation levels vary: Ngqura is the most modern and semi-automated, while Cape Town and Port Elizabeth use conventional systems. Transnet Port Terminals is the major operator across all sites, with limited private involvement. These terminals support regional exports, transshipment, and automotive logistics.

Port Services

The main services at South African ports include:

Container Handling: Specialized container terminals with loading, unloading, and storage facilities across all major ports.

Cargo Operations: Comprehensive handling of breakbulk, bulk cargo, project cargo, and heavy lift operations with modern equipment.

Ship Services: Stevedoring, lashing, vessel maintenance, and repair facilities particularly at Cape Town.

Warehousing: Extensive storage solutions including warehousing, stock pile storage, and bagging services.

Logistics: Integrated supply chain management, inland transport connections, and customs clearance services at port facilities.

Global Connectivity

All other Republic of South Africa ports, beyond Durban and Cape Town, include Port Elizabeth, Ngqura, East London, Richards Bay, Mossel Bay, and Saldanha. These ports connect South Africa to regional markets in southern Africa and serve as gateways for bulk, breakbulk, and container cargo. They are linked to major global shipping routes, facilitating trade with Europe, Asia, the Americas, and other African regions, supporting both import and export flows.

Port Statistics

All Other Republic of South Africa Ports collectively handle approximately 4 million TEU annually, ranking outside the global top 20 container ports. These ports typically offer 10–20 berths each, with total port areas ranging from 100 to 300 hectares. Major international shipping lines such as Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd regularly call at these ports. Operations have faced congestion and delays, but recent improvements in equipment and processes are stabilizing performance.