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Logistics infrastructure in South Africa

South Africa — Ports

South Africa has 8 seaports profiled from the NGA World Port Index — each with its harbour size, channel and anchorage depth, shelter and on-site cargo facilities, traced to the published register.

Container terminals are matched to their operators from the SMDG Terminal Code List — a UN/LOCODE child code list — and liner connectivity is set against UNCTAD's LSCI and port-level PLSCI. Search, sort or open any port for its sourced record.

8
Total
4
Medium
2
Large
1
Small
1
Very small
Container throughput
4,053,350 TEU
World Bank WDI · 2022
Liner connectivity (LSCI)
107.2
UNCTAD · 2024-Q1
Container terminals
11
SMDG · UN/LOCODE
Maritime territory (EEZ)
1,072,679 km²
Marine Regions
Most connected
  1. 1Durban209.7
  2. 2Cape Town187.6
  3. 3Port Elizabeth100.7
  4. 4Richards Bay17.3
  5. 5East London10.8
UNCTAD PLSCI
Most container terminals
  1. 1Durban5
  2. 2Cape Town3
  3. 3East London1
  4. 4Port Elizabeth1
SMDG
Deepest channels
  1. 1Saldanha Bay23.2 m
  2. 2Richards Bay18.9 m
  3. 3Cape Town15.9 m
  4. 4Durban11 m
  5. 5East London11 m
NGA WPI
Best equipped
  1. 1Cape Town6 / 6
  2. 2Durban6 / 6
  3. 3East London6 / 6
  4. 4Port Elizabeth5 / 6
  5. 5Mossel Bay5 / 6
NGA WPI
DatabookThe Record of Consolidated Knowledge
South Africa beyond logistics?
Browse databook
Showing 8 of 8
PortSizeTypeChannel depthAnchorageCargo pier depthShelterFacilities
Saldanha BayZASDBMediumCoastal (Breakwater)23.2 m15.5 m23 mFairCranesRepairsBunker
Richards BayZARCBMediumCoastal (Breakwater)18.9 m18.6 m19 mFairCranesRepairsBunker
Cape TownZACPTLargeCoastal (Breakwater)15.9 m23.2 m15.5 mGoodCranesRepairsBunkerDry dock
DurbanZADURLargeCoastal (Breakwater)11 m21.6 m11.9 mExcellentCranesRepairsBunkerDry dock
East LondonZAELSSmallRiver (Natural)11 m23.2 m9.4 mExcellentCranesRepairsBunkerDry dock
Port ElizabethZAPLZMediumCoastal (Breakwater)11 m12.5 m12.2 mFairCranesRepairsBunker
Mossel BayZAMZYMediumCoastal (Breakwater)7.9 m20.1 m7.2 mGoodRepairsBunkerDry dock
SimonstownZASMNVery SmallCoastal (Breakwater)7.9 m12 m7.9 mGoodCranesRepairsDry dock

All Sources

Portsthe NGA World Port Indexthe NGA World Port Index
Public domain (US gov)
Logistics performanceUNCTADUNCTAD
CC BY 3.0 IGO
Infrastructurethe World Bank's World Development Indicatorsthe World Bank's World Development Indicators
CC BY 4.0
InfrastructureMarine RegionsMarine Regions
CC BY 4.0
Portsthe SMDG Terminal Code Listthe SMDG Terminal Code List
UN/LOCODE — free, attribution
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