What You Need to Know Before Getting Into Empty Container Trucking in Durban

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You’ve seen them all over Durban, those small trucks dragging 12m trailers with either two 20-footers or a single 40-foot container. Looks easy, right? But what are these transporters really making?

We spoke to a few transporters and drivers hustling this exact game, and they gave us some serious gems for anyone thinking of jumping in. Empty container haulage might look simple, but it’s a game of volume, efficiency, and patience.

The Work: Short Trips, Big Volume

These trucks typically move empty containers between Durban’s container terminals like DCT (Durban Container Terminal) and nearby container depots. Most of these depots are within 2km to 13km of the port. One of the longest trips is to SATI, which is about 30km from DCT.

“On the short trips, we usually get R300 for a 20-foot box. A 40-foot is just double that, give or take,” said one local transporter.

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That means:

• 2km – 13km trip with one 20ft = R300
• Same trip with a 40ft = Around R600
• Trip to SATI (30km) with 40ft = R1,100

Who Sets the Rates? The Brokers Control the Game

One of the biggest challenges in this business is poor transport rates, and the reason is clear: brokers.

Here’s how it works:
A big company with a fleet of trucks secures the contract directly with shipping lines or depots. But instead of doing all the work themselves, they subcontract smaller operators to carry out the actual container moves. A few other non-trucking companies, but connected owners, have managed to land themselves the gig.

Read | How to calculate cost per kilometre of trucking in South Africa

“As a subcontractor, you’re already getting second-hand rates. By the time the job reaches you, it’s been sliced two or three times,” said a frustrated transporter.

SA Trucker tried to get hold of the actual contract rates from the main operators, the ones who have direct deals with depots or shipping clients. None of them were willing to share the details.

But from sources we trust inside the industry, the minimum direct rate for a 20-foot container is as high as R500, and R1,000 for a 40-foot, nearly double what the subcontracted transporters are getting.

So while you’re out here making R300 per box, the broker’s pocketing another R200 off each trip.

How Transporters Maximise Profits

To make it worth it, most use 12m trailers so they can load either one 40ft container or two 20-footers. “The money is in the doubles. If you can get two 20s in one trip, that’s R600 in one go for the same fuel,” explained another operator.

Now let’s break it down:

To make R50,000 a month doing only R300 per box trips, you need to haul 167 containers monthly — that’s about 5.5 containers per day if you’re working 30 days.

Sounds doable? Not so fast…

“Back in the day, we could clear 10 to 18 boxes easy. But now? Too many trucks and port delays make it hard,” said Sipho, a driver who’s been in the game for three years.

Read | 9 trucking businesses that you can choose to venture into in South Africa

The Costs: Diesel & Driver Pay

There are no tolls since it’s all local, but diesel still adds up. Most transporters told us they spend about R6,000 per month on diesel.

“The smaller your truck, the better. Diesel is everything in this business,” one operator told us.

Drivers are usually paid per container, averaging R130 per 20ft box. So if a driver hauls 5 boxes a day, that’s R650 daily, or around R13,000–R15,000 a month, depending on activity.

Scenario: What Does a Month Look Like?

Let’s say you’re lucky and manage to haul:

• 3 trips per day
• Each trip: 2 x 20ft containers @ R300 each = R600 per trip
• That’s R1,800 per day
• Do this 25 days a month: R45,000 gross income

From that, subtract:

• Diesel: R6,000
• Driver pay (R130 x 150 20-foot containers): R19,500
• Repairs/Maintenance buffer: R5,000

Estimated Take Home: R14,500/month

Now imagine you’re the guy with the direct contract charging R500 per box. That same load brings in R1,000 per 20ft, or R2,000 per 40ft. Suddenly, the business looks a whole lot sweeter.

The broker? He’s probably pocketing an extra R35,000/month from the same loads, minus a few phone calls and admin.

Is It Worth It for the Transporter?

If you’ve got the right truck, a reliable driver, and don’t mind early mornings and chasing depot slots, it can work. But know this:
The game is flooded, and competition is heavy. Profit margins are tight, and delays can kill your day’s income.

“This business isn’t for the faint-hearted. But if you learn the ropes, move smart, and keep your costs tight, there’s money in it,” said a veteran transporter we spoke to.

The real bread, though? It’s in the direct contracts, if you can land one, you’re playing a whole different game.

Thinking of getting into empty container trucking? Drop your questions in the comments — or share your hustle if you’re already in the game.