A large graving dock and major ship-repair facilities set Cape Town apart from most South African ports, serving vessels, fishing fleets and offshore oil rigs in Table Bay. The container terminal, run by Transnet Port Terminals, offers roughly 1 million TEU of annual capacity, with an expansion to about 1.4 million TEU adding reefer plug points. The port is above all a reefer gateway for the Western Cape's fruit exports — table grapes, citrus and pome fruit shipped to Europe, Asia and North America. Containers, breakbulk and fish are all handled alongside the fruit trade. Since 2025 Transnet has been recapitalising the terminal's equipment — new ship-to-shore cranes are being delivered through to May 2026, alongside a fleet of new, partly diesel-electric RTG yard cranes — to ease the congestion and productivity problems of recent years. Hinterland links run by road and rail, although the haul to the Gauteng industrial heartland is long. Customs clearance is handled by the South African Revenue Service. Carriers seeking pure transhipment often prefer the deepwater port of Ngqura (Coega), while South Africa's largest container volumes move through Durban. For iron-ore and dry-bulk exports, nearby Saldanha Bay is the regional alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE of Cape Town?▼
The UN/LOCODE of Cape Town is ZA CPT. This international code identifies ports and logistics locations worldwide.
Where is the port of Cape Town located?▼
The port of Cape Town is located in South Africa (South Atlantic Ocean).
What is the size of the port Cape Town?▼
Cape Town is a Large harbor of type Coastal (Breakwater).
The information on this page is based on publicly available transport and infrastructure data. The logistics significance of a location may change. All information without warranty.