The 2024/2025 export season has seen a significant improvement in productivity at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT), with key players in the agriculture and logistics sectors reporting smoother operations. This positive development has been confirmed by grape growers, exporters, and logistics service providers, particularly in the wake of a decrease in wind-related disruptions and increased operational hours. The early signs of improvement are being met with cautious optimism, as the industry prepares for a peak in export volumes.
Role of Reduced Windbound Hours in Improved Efficiency
Wind-related disruptions have long been a challenge for South African ports, particularly the Cape Town Container Terminal, where strong winds often cause delays, resulting in “windbound” hours. However, reports for the early part of the 2024/2025 season show a marked reduction in these delays.
According to Antoinette van Heerden, the logistical affairs manager at the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum, the reduction in windbound hours has been a crucial factor in the terminal’s improved performance. “During the first two weeks of January, the port experienced only 46 windbound hours, compared to 130 hours during the same period in 2024,” she noted. This reduction has allowed for smoother operations and more efficient handling of cargo, ultimately boosting export volumes.
Increased Operational Hours Contribute to Higher Productivity
In addition to fewer windbound hours, the CTCT benefited from an additional 72 operational hours over the Christmas and New Year period. This extra time helped accelerate the processing of exports, contributing to a notable rise in productivity. The gross crane moves per hour (GCH), a key indicator of terminal performance, showed substantial improvement. Week 2 of the 2024/2025 season saw an average of 15 GCH, up from 12 in the same week of 2023.
Van Heerden pointed out that the terminal is now operating at near-full capacity, with eight out of nine ship-to-shore cranes and 23 out of 24 rubber-tyre gantry cranes in operation. A non-operational STS crane is awaiting parts, which are expected to arrive soon. Furthermore, the terminal is preparing for the arrival of new equipment, including nine additional RTGs scheduled to arrive in February and be operational by mid-2025.
Record Export Volumes and Industry Outlook
As a result of the improved port performance, South Africa’s table grape export industry is seeing strong growth in early 2025. By the end of week 2, 24.5 million 4.5 kg cartons of table grapes had been exported, representing a 39% increase compared to the same period in 2024. A large proportion of these exports, approximately 81%, have gone to the European Union and the UK, while 10% have been sent to North America.
Despite the positive trends, industry representatives remain cautious as the export season enters its peak. Some regions have reported that certain varieties of grapes are ripening more quickly than expected, which could lead to bottlenecks in the coming weeks. The Northern Provinces, in particular, anticipate a shortfall in packing volumes, with some regions concluding packing earlier than anticipated. However, SATI, (South African Table Grape Industry) the industry body, reassures that the national crop estimate remains unchanged at 76.4 million cartons for export.
Impact of Predictive Logistics Models
One of the key factors contributing to the improved performance this season is the adoption of predictive logistics models. This is the first year the grape industry has implemented such models, which are designed to optimize logistics planning and minimize delays. Mark Soden, project lead at Transnova, a contractor for the logistics system, noted that the season’s progress has closely followed the model’s ideal scenario, with limited delays at the Cape Town terminal.
By tracking actual port utilization against predicted volumes, the model has allowed for better planning and faster turnaround times for exports. The result has been a significant reduction in the stock buildup, a clear indicator of improved port efficiency.
The 2024/2025 export season is shaping up to be a successful one for South African table grape growers and exporters, aided in no small part by the improved efficiency at the Cape Town Container Terminal. The combination of reduced windbound hours, increased operational hours, and the implementation of predictive logistics models has contributed to faster export turnaround times and higher productivity. While challenges may remain as the season progresses, the industry is optimistic that the improvements at the terminal will continue to support strong export growth and a successful harvest season.