Cape Town – With South Africa’s deciduous fruit export season about to kick off, the Cape Town Container Terminal is tightening its bolts and gearing up for a busy few months ahead. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy visited the terminal on Thursday to inspect progress as Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) prepares for what is expected to be a bumper export season running from November 2025 to March 2026.
According to TPT, this year’s campaign covering table grapes, pomegranates, stone fruit, berries, apples, and pears could see export volumes rise by around 3% compared to last season. The terminal remains a vital gateway for the Western Cape’s fruit producers, linking local farms to lucrative markets abroad.
To handle the expected increase, Transnet has pumped billions into its terminals nationwide. About R4 billion has been earmarked for infrastructure and equipment upgrades across five key ports in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape for the 2025 to 2026 financial year.
At the Cape Town Container Terminal alone, 28 new rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) are being rolled out. Nine are already lifting containers, another nine are being fine-tuned, and the rest are in final assembly. These cranes boast diesel electric hybrid engines and anti-sway technology, making them more efficient and better suited to Cape Town’s notorious winds.
“We are heading into the new season with a lot more confidence,” said Oscar Borchards, Managing Executive for Western Cape Terminals. “The new equipment and the coordination we have established with the export community will go a long way in keeping operations smooth.”
To manage the expected surge, TPT will run eight operational gangs and expand refrigerated plug points for temperature-sensitive containers. There is also a plan to use the nearby Cape Town Multipurpose Terminal to handle smaller vessels and ease congestion during peak weeks.
Read | Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 Unveils New Ship-to-Shore Cranes
Given the Mother City’s windy reputation, mitigation plans are in place too, such as suspending truck appointments during long wind delays and using staggered stacking schedules to avoid bottlenecks.
Most of the deciduous fruit exported through Cape Town comes from the Western Cape, with the Northern Cape adding a smaller but important share. With all systems go, the port is hoping this season will see fewer delays, smoother operations, and a stronger showing for South Africa’s fruit export industry.
The latest SA Trucking News straight to your inbox!
Do you have more on this story? Click to WhatsApp us. Anonymity guaranteed.
