South Africa’s Transnet Records 9% Rise in Vessel Arrivals and Strongest Port Cargo Growth Since 2011
South Africa’s state-owned logistics company, Transnet, has reported strong growth across the country’s port system for the 2025/26 financial year, signaling improving trade activity and growing confidence in the country’s logistics sector.
The company announced a 9% year-on-year increase in vessel arrivals, alongside notable gains in cargo volumes across several major categories.
According to figures released by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), the authority handled 8 630 vessel arrivals during the financial year, compared with 7 912 recorded in 2024/25.
The increase reflects growing activity at South Africa’s commercial ports and points to gradual improvements in operational efficiency after years of infrastructure and congestion challenges.
Cargo throughput across TNPA’s eight commercial seaports rose by 4.2% to approximately 304 million tonnes. Transnet described this as the strongest annual growth performance since the 2011/12 financial year.
The increase was supported by stronger export demand, improvements in rail and port operations, and ongoing recovery initiatives aimed at stabilizing South Africa’s freight and logistics network.
Automotive cargo emerged as one of the strongest-performing sectors during the year. Volumes increased by 13.3%, driven largely by export activity and improved handling capacity at key ports.
The Port of Durban played a major role in this growth, with the port exceeding its annual throughput targets. Durban remains the country’s busiest container and automotive port, making its performance critical to South Africa’s overall trade competitiveness.
Container volumes also recorded solid growth, increasing by 7.1% during the year and surpassing annual budget expectations by 3.6%.
Transnet said the improvement was largely supported by a sharp rise in citrus fruit exports, which increased by 22%. South Africa’s agricultural exports continue to play an important role in the country’s trade performance, particularly in international markets across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Dry bulk cargo volumes increased by 4.2%, supported mainly by higher export demand for minerals such as chrome ore, magnetite and manganese. These commodities remain vital contributors to South Africa’s mining export sector and continue to generate strong international demand despite global economic uncertainties.
Meanwhile, breakbulk and liquid bulk cargo categories also showed signs of gradual recovery. Although these sectors have faced operational pressures in recent years, Transnet said improvements in efficiency and infrastructure upgrades were beginning to support more stable cargo flows.
Transnet Group Chief Executive Michelle Phillips said the overall performance reflects a more positive domestic economic environment and demonstrates the impact of recovery initiatives implemented across the transport and logistics network.
She noted that gains in rail and port efficiencies were contributing to stronger operational performance throughout the system.
The company also highlighted several ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at further improving port capacity and reducing congestion.
At the Port of Durban, expansion plans are focused on increasing container-handling capacity to accommodate rising trade volumes.
Meanwhile, upgrades at the Port of Cape Town, including container stack improvements and truck staging facilities, are expected to improve operational efficiency and ease congestion challenges.
The latest results suggest that South Africa’s ports are gradually recovering from years of operational setbacks, positioning the country for stronger trade growth and improved logistics performance in the years ahead.
