Durban Gateway Terminal faces severe cargo flow disruptions

The South African Freight and Logistics Association (SAFLA) and the Road Freight Association (RFA) are calling for a unified recovery plan to address severe cargo disruptions at the Durban Gateway Terminal (DGT).

Data indicates significant operational delays, with vessel anchorage and berth times increasing substantially. Following a NAVIS N4 system transition in mid-August, weekly throughput dropped by 26%, and terminal waits reached between eight and 12 days. Average port call times rose from under five days in late June to over twelve days by late August.

These delays impact the broader economy, affecting production lines and increasing costs through emergency airfreight and demurrage. International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) is set to assume operational responsibility for DGT on January 1, 2026, under a 25-year partnership with Transnet.