The Western Cape has set an ambitious goal of trebling exports by 2035, contingent on reducing logistics costs and improving port efficiency. Picture: IStock Cape Town Container Terminal, which handles most of SA’s fresh fruit exports, is making a determined bid to lift itself from the bottom of the World Bank’s list of worst-performing ports. This week, it announced the renewal of a Public Sector Partnership (PSP) to maintain operational readiness at the port.
This is a collaboration between the Western Cape government, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), and private sector operators and business groups. The World Bank Container Port Index (CPPI) for 2024, released in September this year, ranked Durban the worst performing port in the world out of 403 ports globally, with Cape Town moving itself from the bottom of the list in the previous year to 400thin 2024. “A key objective of reinstating this project is to ensure that both the terminal and the fruit industry remain fully prepared for unforeseen operational disruptions, such as multiple windbound days,” says Piet de Jager, CEO of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF).
Transnet figures show refrigerated container volumes through the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) increased 32% for the eight months to August 2025 over the same period last year, while overall export volumes were up 24%. The PSP will deploy two additional 500kVA generators to maintain cold-chain stability during periods of high export volumes. These generators, along with additional plug points, will smooth out potential disruptions and maintain cold-chain integrity, regardless of operational conditions.
Read Full Article on The Citizen
[paywall]
“This partnership reflects the industry’s proactive approach to safeguarding South Africa’s international competitiveness. “By investing collaboratively in practical solutions, such as additional reefer capacity, we are protecting export markets, supporting jobs and contributing to long-term economic growth,” says Mecia Petersen, CEO of the South African Table Grape Industry. The World Bank commended Cape Town for its sharp improvement in performance since 2023, describing it as “one of the strongest gains globally. Cape Town has invested in new cranes and equipment, upgraded warehousing capacity, and introduced innovative measures such as hydraulic shore-tension units”.
[/paywall]
