Port tariffs are not just numbers on a page, they directly shape the cost and competitiveness of doing business in South Africa’s ports and across global trade routes..
If you answered NO to the title, then this is your chance to do something about it..
The Ports Regulator of South Africa has now opened the review of the Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) tariff application for 2026/27 – 2028/29, and this is your opportunity to engage..
What is on the table..??
The TNPA has applied for a weighted average tariff adjustment of 9.61% for 2026/27.. Without the regulator’s Excessive Tariff Increase Margin Credit (ETIMC) offset, the increase would have been over 21%..
Key highlights include:
- Marine charges (shipping lines): 11.24% increase
- Container imports and exports: 8.61% increase
- Dry bulk, breakbulk, coastwise, and transhipments: 9.61% increase
- Coal and magnetite exports: 9.84% increase
- Automotive imports and exports, and liquid bulk: 8.61% increase
In addition, the Authority has outlined a six-year capital investment programme of R18.8 billion, with R8.3 billion to be executed between 2026/27 and 2028/29, focused on sustaining and adding capacity..
Notably, projects like the long-awaited Boegoebaai port development have been delayed into later tariff years..
Why stakeholders should engage
These tariff adjustments will directly impact:
- Shipping lines through higher marine charges..
- Importers and exporters through container, bulk, and automotive cargo handling fees..
- Commodity traders dealing with coal, magnetite, and other dry bulk cargo..
- Investors and supply chain planners navigating capital investment timelines and infrastructure gaps..
With corporatisation of the Port Authority on the horizon, the Regulator has emphasised that broad and diverse stakeholder input is essential to balance efficiency, affordability, and sustainability..
How you can participate
The Ports Regulator has scheduled a series of stakeholder engagement roadshows across the country to consult industry players..
– Advertise here –
- Written submissions are also invited, which can be made public or kept confidential upon request..
- The Regulator’s Economic Development Team is available to engage with associations, businesses, and chambers before or after the roadshows..
The roadshow dates, and details are as below, and further info is available at the Port Regulator’s website..
| Region | Date and Time | Venue |
| Western Region (Ports of Cape Town/Saldanha & Mossel Bay | 29th August | Cape Town – Venue to be confirmed |
| Central Region (Port of East London) | 2nd September 09h00 – 12h00 |
Virtual – Teams Platform |
| Gauteng Region | 2nd September | Virtual – Teams Platform |
| Eastern Region (Ports of Richards Bay & Durban) | 5th September 09h00 – 13h00 |
Durban – venue to be confirmed |
| Central Region (Port of Port Elizabeth & Ngqura) | 8th September | Port Elizabeth – venue to be confirmed |
A call to action
Whether you are a shipping line operating on South African routes, a multinational commodity trader, a local exporter, or an industry body, this tariff review affects you.. Port costs feed directly into trade competitiveness and supply chain resilience..
Now is the time to:
- Attend the roadshows and make your voice heard
- Submit written inputs on the impact of the proposed tariff structures
- Encourage peers and members of your networks to actively participate
Your insights will help shape fair, transparent, and sustainable tariff decisions that affect both South Africa’s trade community and international partners..
