By Motshwari Mofokeng (One News Network)
The Durban Car Terminal has handled 700,000 imported vehicles, underscoring the port’s role as a critical gateway for South Africa’s automotive industry as Transnet prepares a major equipment and infrastructure upgrade.
At the terminal’s media day, Transnet officials detailed measures to improve cargo handling, reduce delays and expand capacity in anticipation of higher shipping volumes.
Earle Peters, Managing Executive for Transnet’s Durban Region, and Prince Manganyi, Terminal Manager of the Durban Car and Multipurpose Terminal, said modern equipment, tighter operational planning and closer coordination with service providers would be central to improving terminal performance.
Daily operations include managing vehicle storage capacity and monitoring vessel turnaround times. Improved coordination has also enabled trucks and trains to deliver vehicles to the port while collecting others for onward distribution to customers.
The next major upgrade will be the arrival of six new-generation ship-to-shore cranes, expected from the second quarter of the next financial year. Equipped with twin-lift technology, the cranes will be capable of handling two containers simultaneously.
Officials said the cranes were being selected with a 20-year operating life and the requirements of larger future vessels in mind.
On the Multipurpose Terminal side, one mobile harbour crane has already been delivered, while three more are expected in the first quarter of next year.
Transnet expects the additional equipment to improve handling efficiency and increase terminal capacity.
The company is also engaging with the port authority over berth constraints while developing internal expansion plans for both the P1 and Multipurpose terminals.
Together, the investments are intended to prepare Durban’s port operations for rising demand and reinforce the resilience of South Africa’s logistics network.
Email: motshwari@onenews.co.za
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