Durban Container Terminals (DCT) has received a major boost with the arrival of new cargo handling equipment worth R892 million. This delivery includes straddle carriers and rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, forming part of a larger plan to enhance port operations.
Speaking at the Port of Durban, Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips described the acquisition as a significant step forward in improving operational efficiency. She noted that this investment is part of a broader initiative to modernize the port’s infrastructure.
The newly acquired equipment consists of 20 straddle carriers, each costing R23 million, designated for Pier 2, along with nine RTGs, priced at R48 million each, for Pier 1. Deliveries, which started in December 2024, will continue until May 2025. This purchase aligns with Transnet’s Recovery Plan, which includes a R3.4 billion investment in equipment for the 2025 financial year, with DCT receiving a significant portion of these resources.
Sustainability
Further reinforcements scheduled for DCT this year include four ship-to-shore cranes, 40 haulers, and 67 trailers, arriving between April and December 2025. Additionally, by 2026, the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal will receive 12 straddle carriers, while Cape Town will benefit from 28 RTGs and straddle carriers.
Phillips emphasized Transnet’s commitment to sustainability, revealing that the new hybrid diesel-electric equipment has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. This technology offers a reduced carbon footprint while enhancing stacking capacity compared to older models.
Acknowledging past challenges, Phillips admitted that the procurement process should have taken place four years earlier. However, she commended the staff for maintaining operations despite aging infrastructure. She reaffirmed Transnet’s dedication to improving port efficiency, stating that this investment marks the start of a new era for the company.
Transnet Board Chairperson Andile Sangqu highlighted the importance of infrastructure investment in Transnet’s recovery strategy. He stressed that upgrading port facilities is essential to reversing past performance declines and ensuring a more efficient transport network. He also welcomed private-sector collaboration in modernizing port infrastructure.
DCT Chief Executive Earle Peters expects the new equipment to increase the port’s container handling capacity from the current 1.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year to over two million TEUs.
MSC South Africa Managing Director Captain Rosario Sarno praised Transnet’s resilience in managing port congestion despite outdated equipment. He expressed optimism that operational efficiency would improve with the deployment of the new fleet. Similarly, Durban Harbour Carriers Chairperson Sue Moodley anticipated that the additional straddle carriers would help alleviate truck congestion in the port area.