Dear Colleagues
In the midst of the global turmoil facilitated by the ongoing Middle East crisis, we are not doing ourselves any favors by sharing or posting misinformation.
If we had to believe all the news we read (or hear), there would be a flotilla of vessels bypassing the Cape and the naysayers quantify this even more by stating these vessels are deliberately bypassing Cape Town due to congestion, berthing delays, equipment failures!
Well, here’s the truth – there are no berthing delays, no equipment challenges, all our new RTGs are fully operational and we’ve had considerably less wind for the past few months than in previous years. – as reported below.
Western Cape Government is currently compiling a report on the status of vessels bypassing and once this available will share this with you.
On the wind front, CTCT was closed for 39 hours in April 2026, compared to 188 hours in April 2025, March & February reflecting similar improvements, 128 hours in 2026 vs 231 hours in 2025 and 157 hours vs 303 hours in February 2025.
Once the long awaited CSIR report is released, It will be interesting to establish what it reveals, and if this is data is reflected,
There is virtually no press coverage of the PoCT since the demise of Brian Ingen’s weekly Port Pourri Wednesday feature, which provided industry with a minefield of information, as those who attendance at April function, will attest to.
On the transport side, the Skytrain has morphed into the Capetrain Catalyst Project (CTCP) in alignment with the Gautrain to ensure this exciting project keeps on track!
We welcome a very good friend of EWC, Mohammed Abdool as newly appointed CEO of TNPA effective 1st May 2026 – we wish Mohammed well and look forward to working together in support of our industry..
It was a sad day when we said farewell to Eugene Goddard, Editor of Freight News who supported EWC and always provided space for EWC to share news, function updates, and wish him well in his future endeavours.
As the port is between season’s, with citrus starting in full within the next few weeks, we will report fully on the terminal stats again, as we are taking a hiatus until then.
We are still pursuing Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, to provide the keynote address at our May (hopefully) function – so watch this space.
See you at the PCC Roadshow next Friday 15 May 2026!!!
Stay warm! Stay exporting!
Terry
