South Africa, with its extensive coastline along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, boasts a range of ports that are vital to its economy and global trade. These ports serve as crucial gateways for imports and exports, facilitating the movement of goods, commodities, and resources. Here are the most important ports in South Africa:
List of Largest Ports in South Africa
| Port Name | Type of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Durban | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro, Oil Tankers | 500 |
| Port of Richards Bay | Bulk, Coal, Oil Tankers | 300 |
| Port of Cape Town | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro, Oil Tankers | 250 |
| Port of Saldanha Bay | Bulk, Iron Ore, Oil Tankers | 200 |
| Port of Port Elizabeth | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro, Oil Tankers | 200 |
| Port of East London | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro, Oil Tankers | 150 |
| Port of Mossel Bay | Bulk, Oil Tankers | 100 |
| Port of Ngqura | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro, Oil Tankers | 100 |
| Port of Coega | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro, Oil Tankers | 100 |
| Port of Cape Sable | Container, Bulk, Ro-Ro, Oil Tankers | 90 |
| Port of Port Nolloth | Bulk, Diamonds | 80 |
| Port of Lamberts Bay | Bulk, Fishing | 70 |
| Port of Knysna | Bulk, Fishing | 60 |
| Port of Hondeklip Bay | Bulk | 50 |
| Port of Port St Johns | Bulk, Fishing | 40 |
Major Ports of South Africa
1. Port of Durban
The Port of Durban is the largest and busiest port in South Africa, and one of the busiest in Africa. Situated on the eastern coast along the Indian Ocean, Durban handles a wide range of cargo, including containerized goods, bulk materials, and automotive products. The port is strategically located to serve both domestic needs and those of landlocked countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, making it a crucial hub in Southern Africa’s trade network.
City Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Latitude: 29.8587° S
Longitude: 31.0218° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pietermaritzburg | 80 | N3 Highway |
| Richards Bay | 180 | N2 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 570 | N3 Highway |
| Pretoria | 600 | N1 Highway |
| Bloemfontein | 700 | N1 Highway |
| Port Elizabeth | 950 | N2 Highway |
| Newcastle | 200 | N11 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station (Pietermaritzburg)
- Richards Bay Railway Station (Richards Bay)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Pretoria Railway Station (Pretoria)
2. Port of Cape Town
Cape Town’s port is one of the oldest and most important in South Africa. It serves as a critical port for handling containerized cargo, fruit exports, and oil products. Due to its geographical position along the Atlantic coast, Cape Town is a key stop for international shipping routes, particularly for vessels traveling around the Cape of Good Hope. The port’s infrastructure is also set up for cruise tourism, which brings a significant number of tourists to the city each year.
City Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Latitude: 33.9249° S
Longitude: 18.4241° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Stellenbosch | 50 | N2 Highway |
| Paarl | 60 | N1 Highway |
| Worcester | 130 | N1 Highway |
| George | 400 | N2 Highway |
| Durbanville | 30 | N7 Highway |
| Malmesbury | 60 | R315 Road |
| Ceres | 200 | N1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Cape Town Railway Station (Cape Town)
- Stellenbosch Railway Station (Stellenbosch)
- Paarl Railway Station (Paarl)
- Worcester Railway Station (Worcester)
- George Railway Station (George)
3. Port of Ngqura
Ngqura Port is a relatively new port located near Port Elizabeth, designed to handle larger container vessels and provide more capacity for shipping. The port is strategically placed to serve as a deep-water port for the region, facilitating the transport of goods across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It has been designed with modern infrastructure and is part of South Africa’s ongoing investment in boosting trade capacities.
City Location: Ngqura, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Latitude: 33.8076° S
Longitude: 25.6026° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Port Elizabeth | 20 | N2 Highway |
| Grahamstown | 130 | N10 Highway |
| East London | 330 | N2 Highway |
| Cape Town | 950 | N2 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 1,200 | N1 Highway |
| Pretoria | 1,230 | N1 Highway |
| Bloemfontein | 1,070 | N1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Ngqura Railway Station (Ngqura)
- Port Elizabeth Railway Station (Port Elizabeth)
- Grahamstown Railway Station (Grahamstown)
- East London Railway Station (East London)
- Cape Town Railway Station (Cape Town)
4. Port of Richards Bay
Richards Bay is one of the major coal-exporting ports in the world and is located on the northeastern coast of South Africa. The port plays a pivotal role in South Africa’s mining and energy industries by exporting vast quantities of coal, as well as handling bulk goods, oil products, and other cargo. It serves as an outlet for industries in the hinterland, especially for the transportation of bulk commodities.
City Location: Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Latitude: 28.7833° S
Longitude: 32.0394° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Empangeni | 20 | N2 Highway |
| Durban | 180 | N2 Highway |
| Pietermaritzburg | 220 | N3 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 600 | N3 Highway |
| Pretoria | 630 | N1 Highway |
| Vryheid | 250 | N2 Highway |
| Newcastle | 330 | N11 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Richards Bay Railway Station (Richards Bay)
- Empangeni Railway Station (Empangeni)
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station (Pietermaritzburg)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
5. Port of Saldanha Bay
Saldanha Bay is an important port located on the west coast of South Africa, mainly handling bulk commodities such as iron ore, manganese, and other minerals. The port serves as a crucial export hub for the mining industry, particularly for the iron ore mines of the Northern Cape. It is one of the deepest natural harbors in the world and is strategically located for shipping to international markets.
City Location: Saldanha Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Latitude: 33.0181° S
Longitude: 17.9470° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | 150 | R27 Highway |
| Vredenburg | 10 | R399 Highway |
| Langebaan | 30 | R27 Highway |
| Paternoster | 25 | R399 Highway |
| Citrusdal | 150 | N7 Highway |
| Clanwilliam | 100 | N7 Highway |
| Malmesbury | 180 | N7 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Saldanha Bay Railway Station (Saldanha Bay)
- Vredenburg Railway Station (Vredenburg)
- Langebaan Railway Station (Langebaan)
- Clanwilliam Railway Station (Clanwilliam)
- Paternoster Railway Station (Paternoster)
6. Port of East London
East London’s port is located on the southeastern coast of South Africa and is known for handling automotive cargo, breakbulk, and general cargo. It also serves as a critical port for the export of agricultural products, particularly citrus and wool. The port is well-connected to the hinterland by road and rail, making it an important outlet for trade in the Eastern Cape region.
City Location: East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Latitude: 33.0258° S
Longitude: 27.9117° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Grahamstown | 130 | N10 Highway |
| Port Elizabeth | 330 | N2 Highway |
| Durban | 400 | N2 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 1,000 | N1 Highway |
| Pretoria | 1,030 | N1 Highway |
| Cape Town | 1,100 | N2 Highway |
| Mthatha | 220 | N2 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- East London Railway Station (East London)
- Grahamstown Railway Station (Grahamstown)
- Port Elizabeth Railway Station (Port Elizabeth)
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Cape Town Railway Station (Cape Town)
7. Port of Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is one of South Africa’s oldest ports and plays a significant role in handling automotive and general cargo. It is a hub for exports, particularly vehicles and agricultural products. The port is part of the larger Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, providing easy access to transport infrastructure and connecting the Eastern Cape region to global markets.
City Location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Latitude: 33.9644° S
Longitude: 25.6376° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| East London | 330 | N2 Highway |
| Grahamstown | 130 | N10 Highway |
| Durban | 770 | N2 Highway |
| Cape Town | 950 | N2 Highway |
| Pretoria | 1,300 | N1 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 1,250 | N1 Highway |
| Mthatha | 230 | N2 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Port Elizabeth Railway Station (Port Elizabeth)
- East London Railway Station (East London)
- Grahamstown Railway Station (Grahamstown)
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Cape Town Railway Station (Cape Town)
8. Port of Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay, located on the southern coast of South Africa, is an important port primarily used for handling bulk cargo, fishing, and tourism-related shipping. While it does not handle as much cargo as the major ports, it plays a critical role in the local economy, particularly for exports of fish, agricultural products, and oil.
City Location: Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Latitude: 34.1867° S
Longitude: 22.1347° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| George | 40 | N2 Highway |
| Cape Town | 400 | N2 Highway |
| Oudtshoorn | 60 | N12 Highway |
| Knysna | 30 | N2 Highway |
| Plettenberg Bay | 90 | N2 Highway |
| Port Elizabeth | 300 | N2 Highway |
| Swellendam | 200 | N2 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Mossel Bay Railway Station (Mossel Bay)
- George Railway Station (George)
- Knysna Railway Station (Knysna)
- Cape Town Railway Station (Cape Town)
- Port Elizabeth Railway Station (Port Elizabeth)
9. Port of Durban
Durban is the largest and busiest port in South Africa, handling a wide variety of cargo including containers, bulk materials, and automotive products. It serves as the primary port for imports and exports, particularly for the mining and agricultural sectors in the hinterland of South Africa.
City Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Latitude: 29.8587° S
Longitude: 31.0218° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pietermaritzburg | 80 | N3 Highway |
| Richards Bay | 180 | N2 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 570 | N3 Highway |
| Pretoria | 600 | N1 Highway |
| Bloemfontein | 700 | N1 Highway |
| Port Elizabeth | 950 | N2 Highway |
| Newcastle | 200 | N11 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station (Pietermaritzburg)
- Richards Bay Railway Station (Richards Bay)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Pretoria Railway Station (Pretoria)