When it comes to global trade, efficiency at ports is more than just a metric – it is the heartbeat of supply chain reliability.
Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) has taken a bold step forward in this regard, unveiling nine new rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) as part of Transnet Port Terminals’ (TPT) R3.4 billion investment programme.
A major boost for Cape Town’s logistics hub
The newly launched cranes are part of a fleet of 28 RTGs, with the remaining 19 still being assembled. This significant equipment upgrade aligns with Transnet’s Reinvent for Growth Strategy, designed to reposition the organisation as a central enabler of South Africa’s economic growth and competitiveness.
Technology that matches global standards
These RTGs are not just replacements – they are reportedly a leap in technology. Equipped with an anti-sway system and video cameras offering a 3D operational view, the cranes promise greater precision in load handling.
They are built to withstand wind speeds of up to 90km/h, a marked improvement from the current 72km/h threshold. Their diesel-electric hybrid system, featuring tier-three engines, also signals a shift towards more environmentally conscious operations.
Beyond machines: investing in people and processes
Transnet’s efficiency drive at CTCT goes beyond new machinery. Initiatives such as the addition of a fourth shift, tailored to support 24-hour operations, and a performance-based incentive scheme are making a tangible difference. Real-time performance monitoring is further enhancing accountability and operational flow.
Tangible improvements are already visible
According to the media statement, by August 2025, the terminal had increased its refrigerated container volumes by 32%, compared to the same period last year, and overall export volumes were up by 24%.
Transnet Group COO Solly Letsoalo summed it up, “Last year this time we were being grilled about the performance and queuing vessels at the ports. Today, we can tell a different story. There are no vessel backlogs and performance has improved considerably, not just in Cape Town, but across our terminals.”
Collaboration driving resilience
These achievements are not just the result of capital investment – they reflect the power of collaboration. Transnet acknowledged the critical role of customers and stakeholders, whose support has been instrumental in turning challenges into measurable progress.
