Port of Richards Bay cargo volumes take giant leap

March was a good month for cargo volumes at the Port of Richards Bay, which saw more than 85 million tonnes moved.

Keeping up with the upward trend since the beginning of the year, port volumes leapt from 7 million tonnes in February to 85 million in March.

Richards Bay shifted a total of 79 543 754 tonnes of cargo, excluding vehicles.

ALSO READ: Port stats down for March

Of the volumes handled, 81.4 million tonnes were dry bulk – 77 million of which was exports – shipped from local shores.

Liquid bulk accounted for 3.1 million tonnes, and 807 386 tonnes breakbulk; 11 vehicle units were handled during the month under review.

A total of 154 vessel arrivals were recorded with a gross tonnage of 6 672 261, 14 being tankers transporting chemicals and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

It was also a good month for passenger vessels, with six arrivals as the port wrapped up the 2024/25 cruise season.

The volumes come as Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in Richards Bay celebrates a new record, handling 30 million tonnes of freight in the last financial year.

Speaking to the Zululand Observer earlier this year, TPT Richards Bay managing executive Thulasizwe Dlamini said the terminal, which exports over 30 varied commodities, is reaping major gains at its multi-purpose terminal, with magnetite volumes showing notable growth.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:

HAVE YOUR SAY