Cape Town Container Terminal Surpasses Targets by 62%, Marks Best Weekly Volume Since 2019
The Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) has achieved a record-breaking performance, exceeding its weekly target by 62% for the week ending 20 July, according to Transnet Port Terminals (TPT).
This performance marks a major milestone for CTCT, a port historically challenged by severe weather and equipment breakdowns.
TPT described the result as a “remarkable turnaround,” noting that 19,931 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were handled—far above the weekly target of 12,283. It’s the terminal’s highest recorded weekly volume since March 2019.
TPT emphasized the significance of this achievement in light of CTCT’s past difficulties, crediting the success to focused leadership, strategic infrastructure investment, and a renewed commitment to operational excellence.
“The terminal’s resurgence in the 2025/2026 financial year reflects a strong focus on performance, with recent improvements driven by the commissioning of new container cranes,” TPT said. “More equipment is expected in the coming months, contributing to the terminal exceeding its first-quarter volume target by 32%.”
Since April, CTCT has shown consistent performance improvements. This momentum has been fueled by continuous infrastructure investment, including the acquisition of 18 new rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes—nine of which are already operational.
“CTCT is in a much better position than it was last year,” said Terminal Manager Noxolo Thabatha. “While challenges like equipment reliability and adverse weather remain, our focus is on maximizing existing resources and empowering our people to deliver results.”
According to TPT, workforce engagement has played a critical role in driving the terminal’s performance.
Daily targets are communicated clearly, and on-the-ground support structures have been reinforced. This “people-first” strategy has significantly contributed to operational gains.
In June alone, refrigerated container throughput increased by 64% compared to the same period last year.
TPT attributes this growth to enhanced reliability and CTCT’s increasing role in supporting South Africa’s export-driven economy.
This achievement aligns with a broader trend of improved performance across South Africa’s port network.
At the Port of Durban, for instance, more than 101,000 containers were moved in a single week, showcasing the effectiveness of strategic planning and investment.
TPT concluded, “CTCT’s performance sets a new standard for terminal operations and highlights what’s possible when leadership, investment, and accountability align. The terminal is well on its way to sustained recovery and long-term growth.”
