South Africa's Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, visited the Cape Town Container Terminal on Thursday, where Transnet provided an update on preparations for the upcoming deciduous fruit season. The export campaign, which includes table grapes, pomegranates, stone fruit, berries, apples, and pears, will begin in November 2025 and continue through March 2026. A 3% increase in total export volumes is forecast.
The terminal serves as a key export gateway for fruit producers in the Western Cape to international markets. Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), the operating division of Transnet, has undertaken several infrastructure and equipment upgrades aimed at improving operational efficiency during the export period.
© Transnet
In the 2025–2026 financial year, TPT plans to invest approximately R4 billion (around €200 million) across five terminals in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. The Cape Town Container Terminal has received 28 new rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), nine of which are already in operation. Another nine are completing commissioning, and the remaining ten are in the assembly stage.
Oscar Borchards, Managing Executive of Western Cape Terminals, said: "We are approaching this season with confidence following recent investments in new equipment, which we look forward to using this deciduous season." The newly installed cranes are designed to perform more efficiently in high-wind conditions and feature anti-sway technology and diesel-electric hybrid engines.
The terminal will deploy eight operational gangs and increase the number of refrigerated plug points to accommodate higher reefer container volumes. Ongoing coordination with exporters, shipping lines, and logistics stakeholders is intended to align operational planning for the duration of the season.
Mitigation measures have also been introduced to limit disruption from strong winds, a recurring challenge at the port. These include active monitoring of the truck booking system, suspension of appointments if terminal operations are halted for more than four hours, and a staggered approach to managing stack dates for reefer, empty, and full containers.
During peak periods, the Cape Town Container Terminal will coordinate operations with the nearby Cape Town Multipurpose Terminal, redirecting smaller vessels when necessary to ease congestion.
The majority of South Africa's export of deciduous fruit handled through Cape Town originates from the Western Cape, with smaller volumes from the Northern Cape.
For more information:
Transnet
Tel: +27 (0) 11 308 3000
Email: [email protected]
www.transnet.net
