Cape Town's Container Terminal Breaks Records with Exceptional 62% Over Performance of Set Goals
Cape Town Container Terminal Breaks Records with Historic Performance
The Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) has made headlines for its remarkable achievement in the 2025/2026 financial year. Terminal Manager, Noxolo Thabatha, announced that CTCT is in a much better position than it was last year, having surpassed its throughput target by an impressive 62% in the week ending July 20, 2025.
This record-breaking performance can be attributed to a combination of factors. Enhanced operational efficiency and management improvements within Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) have enabled CTCT to handle a record volume of containers in that period. Moreover, the South African government’s approval of a significant R94.8 billion financial guarantee to bolster Transnet's finances in the 2025/26-2026/27 fiscal years likely contributed to CTCT's resurgence by improving liquidity and enabling investment in infrastructure and equipment necessary for improved performance.
June saw a 64% increase in refrigerated container throughput compared to the same period last year. The weekly volume handled by CTCT was 19,931 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking the terminal's highest weekly volume since March 2019. This growth reflects the terminal's improved reliability, despite challenges such as equipment reliability and weather.
The resurgence of CTCT is a testament to focused leadership, strategic investment, and a renewed commitment to operational excellence. CTCT's leadership has placed strong emphasis on workforce engagement, with daily performance targets clearly communicated to the workforce. This people-first approach has been instrumental in driving performance gains.
CTCT's recovery and growth demonstrate what is possible through strategic focus, investment, and empowered leadership. Ongoing investment in terminal infrastructure includes the acquisition of 18 new rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, nine of which have already been commissioned for operations.
The terminal's performance is a beacon of progress within TPT and underscores CTCT's critical role in supporting South Africa's export economy. CTCT sets a new benchmark for excellence in terminal operations, positioning itself as a leader in the industry. The terminal's recovery and growth serve as an inspiration for other terminals within TPT and the broader industry.
The Cape Town Container Terminal's (CTCT) record-breaking performance in the 2025/2026 financial year, driven by enhanced operational efficiency and strategic investments, has not only improved the terminal's position but also supports South Africa's export economy by bolstering industry growth and energy consumption for infrastructure development. The South African government's generous financial guarantee of R94.8 billion to Transnet, aimed at strengthening Transnet's finances, has enabled CTCT to invest in necessary equipment and infrastructure, as well as commission new rubber-tyre gantry cranes, ultimately contributing to increased productivity and throughput.
