The Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) has recorded an historic performance by performing 62% above target for the week ended July 20, with 19 931 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled against a target of 12 283 TEUs, marking the terminal’s highest weekly volume since March 2019, says State-owned Transnet Port Terminals (TPT).

The sustained improvement at the terminal since April is underpinned by ongoing investment in terminal infrastructure, including the acquisition of 18 new rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, with nine of the RTG cranes already commissioned for operations.

“This achievement is particularly significant given the CTCT’s previous challenges. The terminal’s resurgence in the 2025/26 financial year is a testament to focused leadership, strategic investment and a renewed commitment to operational excellence,” TPT says.

Since April, the CTCT has consistently exceeded expectations, closing the first quarter 32% above its targeted volumes, it adds.

“The CTCT is in a much better position than it was last year. While we still face challenges, such as equipment reliability and weather, our focus is on maximising the resources we have and empowering our people to deliver,” says CTCT terminal manager Noxolo Thabatha.

Specifically, the terminal’s leadership has placed strong emphasis on workforce engagement, with daily performance targets clearly communicated and support structures reinforced on the ground. This people-first approach has been instrumental in driving performance gains, she adds.

During June, refrigerated container throughput at the CTCT increased by 64%, compared with the same period in 2024. This growth reflects the terminal’s improved reliability and its critical role in supporting South Africa’s export economy, she says.

The CTCT’s performance demonstrates what is possible through strategic focus, investment and empowered leadership. As the terminal continues to recover and grow, it sets a new benchmark for excellence in terminal operations, TPT says.