The Durban Container Terminals (DCT) will take delivery of over 100 pieces of new cargo handling equipment in the 2025 calendar year. The equipment, which includes 20 straddle carriers for the Pier 2 terminal and nine rubber-tyred gantry cranes for the Pier 1 terminal, began arriving in December 2024, and delivery will continue until end of May 2025.

As part of its Recovery Plan, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has invested R3.4 billion this year to boost its fleet, with South Africa’s busiest terminals DCT getting the lion’s share. Additional equipment at DCT this year includes four ship-to-shore cranes for the South quay, 40 haulers and 67 trailers, with arrival scheduled from April 2025 until December 2025.

Speaking at the launch in Durban, Chairperson of the Transnet Board, Andile Sangqu said: “Our recovery hinges on directly addressing the challenges that led to the decline in our performance, hence investment in infrastructure is at the core of our plans. Investments such as this one lay the foundation for a more efficient and dependable Transnet. These investments underscore our commitment to take the necessary steps to ensure well-functioning port infrastructure system. Recognising that collaboration is a vital cog in our operational environment, we appreciate partnership opportunities to collaborate with the private sector in the overall upgrade of ports infrastructure.”

Transnet Group Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips said: “The arrival of the straddle carriers and rubber tyred gantry cranes that we celebrate today, is part of a bigger rollout plan to enhance the operational capabilities of our container terminals. In 2026, the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal will take delivery of 12 straddle carriers, while Cape Town will receive 28 RTGs and straddle carriers.”

“In line with the measures we are taking to reduce carbon footprint, for the equipment launched today, we have opted for diesel electric hybrids with approval of the Environmental Protection Agency. The equipment we have on hand is not only sustainable, but it also has higher stacking capacity than any of the models before 2025.”

TPT executives have presented the company’s capital investment plans to industry at several industry engagements over the past two years as assurance to its customers.

Last year, DCT Pier 2 took delivery of 20 haulers, two reach stackers, one empty container handler, 10 trailers, two forklifts and eight straddle carriers. Other initiatives underway aimed at recovery include a robust maintenance regime on the existing fleet, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) strategy that has facilitated the speedy arrival of spares to improve the reliability and availability of equipment following National Treasury approval; and the addition of a fourth shift for the 24-hour operation. There have also been several initiatives aimed at making the terminal fluid, including dedicated channels for the evacuation of import containers as well as stacking of export containers four–high to create capacity on the landside.

In the 2023/24 financial year, DCT Pier 2 handled 1.7 million TEUs, while DCT Pier 1 processed 650 000 TEUs, representing a combined 60% of SA’s container volumes.

TPT’s capital spend this year also includes its other terminals in Richards Bay, East London, Cape Town, Gqeberha and Saldanha Bay.