Record weekly container throughput – up by 11%; air cargo is up by 15%
We are sharing the latest version of the cargo report.
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
1. Record container performance:
a. TPT handled a daily record (for the year) average of ~13 933 TEUs per day, +11% week-on-week and exceeding projected levels by +14%. For the week:
b. Pier 2: 37 442 TEUs, +7% weekly growth.
c. Pier 1: 17 568 TEUs, +8% increase.
d. CTCT: 13 589 TEUs, showing a substantial +16% rise.
e. Ngqura: 15 445 TEUs, +6% week-on-week.
f. Port Elizabeth: 4 433 TEUs, leading with +17% growth.
g. Other facilities: 9 052 TEUs, an exceptional +42% increase.
h. Total weekly throughput: 97 529 TEUs across all ports, underscoring robust, coordinated performance.
2. Global trade and tariffs:
a. Global trade expanded by ~1,5% in Q1 and ~2% in Q2 2025, led by strong US and EU demand, but faces mounting headwinds from policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and widening trade imbalances.
b. The WTO recorded a continued sharp increase in tariffs and protectionist measures, with the share of merchandise imports affected by restrictive measures rising from 12,5% to 19,4% in six months.
c. New US tariff measures – including a 30% duty on South African goods effective after 9 July – underscore escalating trade-policy risks and highlight the urgent need for diversification and diplomacy to protect supply chain stability.
