Transnet Records Major Port Recovery as Vessel Traffic Surges 9% and Cargo

State-owned logistics giant says operational reforms and infrastructure upgrades are restoring confidence in South Africa’s port system.

Transnet has announced a significant operational turnaround across South Africa's port system, reporting a 9% year-on-year increase in vessel traffic and the strongest cargo throughput growth recorded in more than a decade.

The state-owned freight logistics company said the improved performance signals growing momentum in its recovery strategy and reflects improving efficiencies across the country's rail and port operations.

According to Transnet Group Chief Executive Michelle Phillips, the latest results indicate that ongoing interventions aimed at restoring operational stability are beginning to yield measurable outcomes for trade, logistics and economic activity.

"The overall strong growth performance signals an improved domestic economic landscape, including gains from the Transnet recovery initiatives and improvements in port and rail efficiencies," Phillips said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Vessel Arrivals Increase Across South Africa's Port Network

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), which manages South Africa's eight commercial seaports, recorded 8 630 vessel arrivals during the 2025/26 financial year, compared to 7 912 arrivals in 2024/25.

The increase is being viewed as a major milestone in Transnet's broader "Reinvent for Growth" strategy, which seeks to restore operational efficiency, modernise infrastructure and reposition South Africa as a globally competitive logistics and trade gateway.

"The increase in vessel calls reflects improved operational coordination across the port system, driven by TNPA's closer collaboration with terminal operators and improved port efficiencies," the company said.

Industry analysts say rising vessel traffic is often one of the clearest indicators of improving confidence in a country's port and logistics environment, particularly after years of operational bottlenecks, equipment failures and congestion challenges that negatively impacted South Africa's trade competitiveness.

Cargo Throughput Hits Strongest Growth Since 2011/12

In another major recovery indicator, cargo throughput across TNPA's port system increased by 4.2% to approximately 304 million tonnes, marking the strongest annual growth performance since the 2011/12 financial year.

The growth reflects stronger export demand, improved terminal coordination and better cargo movement across key commodity sectors.

Of the five main cargo categories handled by South Africa's ports, three recorded particularly strong growth, while previously underperforming sectors such as break bulk and liquid bulk began showing early signs of recovery.

Automotive Sector Leads Port Recovery

One of the strongest contributors to Transnet's recovery was the automotive sector, which recorded double-digit growth of 13.3% during the reporting period.

The Port of Durban — Africa's busiest container port and a critical gateway for vehicle exports and imports — exceeded its annual throughput targets as automotive exports continued to recover.

South Africa remains one of Africa's leading vehicle manufacturing hubs, with major global automakers relying heavily on efficient port operations to support export markets in Europe, Asia and the rest of Africa.

Industry experts believe improved automotive logistics performance could positively impact broader manufacturing output and investor confidence.

Container Volumes Surge as Citrus Exports Expand

Container volumes also recorded robust growth, increasing by 7.1% year-on-year, while exceeding Transnet's annual budget expectations by 3.6%.

The recovery was driven largely by a sharp increase in agricultural exports, particularly citrus products.

According to Transnet, citrus export volumes surged by 22%, reinforcing South Africa's growing position as one of the world's leading citrus exporters.

Agricultural exporters have historically raised concerns about delays, congestion and inefficiencies at ports, particularly during peak export seasons. The latest improvements are therefore likely to provide significant relief to the sector.

Mining Exports Drive Dry Bulk Growth

Dry bulk cargo volumes increased by 4.2%, supported mainly by strong international demand for key mining commodities.

Among the strongest-performing export commodities were:

• Chrome ore

• Magnetite

• Manganese

The growth comes as global demand for critical minerals and industrial commodities continues to rise, particularly from Asian markets.

Mining industry stakeholders have repeatedly identified logistics bottlenecks as one of the largest constraints limiting South Africa's export potential. Analysts say improved rail-port integration will remain critical to sustaining export growth in future years.

Transnet Pushes Infrastructure Modernisation Programme

Despite the improved operational performance, Transnet acknowledged that long-term sustainability will depend heavily on accelerated infrastructure investment and structural reforms.

Phillips said Transnet remains focused on modernising port infrastructure, improving resilience and strengthening trade competitiveness.

"This growth in vessel activity and cargo volumes signals that Transnet's interventions are yielding measurable results," Phillips said.

"Alongside this welcomed volume increase, Transnet remains focused on sustaining operational improvements, accelerating port infrastructure investment, and implementing structural reforms to support trade growth and cargo movement through South Africa's ports."

Durban and Cape Town Upgrades Gain Momentum

Several major infrastructure projects are currently underway across South Africa's port system as Transnet seeks to improve operational capacity and reduce congestion.

Port of Durban Expansion

At the Port of Durban, expansion plans are aimed at significantly increasing container handling capacity to accommodate growing trade volumes and reduce vessel turnaround times.

The port remains one of the most strategically important logistics hubs on the African continent, handling a substantial portion of Southern Africa's containerised cargo.

Port of Cape Town Efficiency Upgrades

Meanwhile, upgrades at the Port of Cape Town include:

• Improved container stack management systems

• Expanded truck staging facilities

• Enhanced cargo flow coordination

The improvements are expected to reduce congestion, improve turnaround efficiency and support agricultural exports, particularly during peak fruit export seasons.

Recovery Seen as Critical to Economic Growth

Economists and logistics experts say Transnet's recovery remains central to South Africa's broader economic growth prospects.

Ports and rail inefficiencies have cost the economy billions of rand in lost exports, delayed shipments and reduced investor confidence over recent years.

The latest improvements could help:

• Improve export competitiveness

• Reduce supply chain disruptions

• Boost mining and manufacturing output

• Strengthen agricultural exports

• Enhance investor confidence

• Support GDP growth

• Create logistics and industrial jobs

However, analysts caution that sustaining the recovery will require consistent maintenance, infrastructure funding, governance stability and successful implementation of ongoing structural reforms.

South Africa Repositions Itself as a Global Trade Gateway

Transnet's latest performance indicators suggest South Africa is gradually restoring confidence in its strategic role as a regional logistics hub connecting Africa to global markets.

As global trade patterns evolve and African continental trade integration accelerates under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), efficient ports and freight infrastructure are expected to become increasingly important to the country's competitiveness.

The recovery in vessel traffic and cargo throughput is therefore being viewed not only as an operational success for Transnet, but also as a broader signal of improving momentum within South Africa's trade and logistics ecosystem.