# Richards Bay (ZA RCB)

**UN/LOCODE:** ZA RCB  
**Country:** South Africa  
**Water Body:** Indian Ocean  
**Harbor Size:** Medium  
**Harbor Type:** Coastal (Breakwater)  
**GPS:** -28.8100, 32.0983

Built to serve South Africa's coal belt, Richards Bay is dominated by a single trade: the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), Africa's largest coal export facility, designed for 91 million tonnes a year. In 2024 it shipped just over 52 million tonnes, most of it to Asia and above all India. Bulk carriers made up close to 80 percent of the port's roughly 1,500 vessel calls that year. Alongside coal, the Transnet-run multipurpose terminal handles other bulks such as magnetite, heavy-mineral sands, aluminium and woodchips, plus some breakbulk; container traffic is effectively absent. Deep channels and berths of 18–19 m accommodate large Capesize bulkers. A dedicated heavy-haul rail line links the quays to the Mpumalanga coalfields. For containerised cargo, the port of Durban, about 160 km south, is the nearest option.

## Transit Times & Routes

- [Durban → Shanghai](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/durban-shanghai)
- [Durban → Shenzhen](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/durban-shenzhen)
- [Durban → Guangzhou](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/durban-guangzhou)
- [Durban → Hong Kong](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/durban-hong-kong)
- [Durban → Tokyo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/durban-tokyo)
- [Durban → Busan](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/durban-busan)

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*Freight Academy — Seaport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/richards-bay-port-za-rcb](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/richards-bay-port-za-rcb)*

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*LLM-Summary (JSON): https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/seaports/richards-bay-port-za-rcb/llm-summary?lang=en*