Exporters warn Cape Town port delays risk missing shipping gains in Port News 07/05/2026 Exporters Western Cape has called for improved efficiency and coordination at the Port of Cape Town, warning that global shipping disruptions will not automatically translate into local economic gains. The call follows an industry engagement where shipping expert Brian Ingpen and Louis Niemand highlighted both the opportunity and the constraints facing the region’s maritime economy. Opportunity driven by shifting global routes According to EWC chairman Terry Gale, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have increased vessel traffic around the Cape of Good Hope, but the local port is not fully capitalising on the shift. “The current situation in the Middle East has resulted in more vessels moving around the Cape of Good Hope, but we are not yet fully leveraging that,” he said. Ingpen noted that even under normal conditions, a significant number of vessels pass the Cape without stopping. “If we can entice even 10 ships a day to come into port to bunker, we will make money and start filling empty berths. The financial potential of a bunkers-only ship is significant. One vessel can leave behind at least a million rand, excluding the fuel. You bring a ship in to bunker and yes, you sell fuel, but they always need something else. That is where the real value comes in.” Infrastructure and operational constraints While upgrades have been made at the Port of Cape Town — including new cranes, additional straddle carriers and a deepened container basin — stakeholders say efficiency gains have not yet matched expectations. Ingpen said unlocking the opportunity will require addressing constraints such as fuel availability, turnaround times and cost competitiveness. “There is an urgent need to expand container handling facilities, improve the positioning of infrastructure like the reefer stack and invest in additional gantry cranes to speed up operations. The ship turnaround time will be mu