Growing transshipments and improving new-vehicle exports from South Africa have seen the Durban Car Terminal set a new record in August, with the facility handling 54 520 fully-built units in a single month. 

This follows the previous handling record of 51 407 fully-built units, set in June this year. 

“Indications of a gradual automotive industry recovery are notable in the volumes we are recording at the terminal, which have risen by 7% compared with the first quarter of the 2019/20 financial year, a period before the advent of Covid-19,” says Transnet Port Terminals Durban Terminals managing executive Jabu Mdaki.

He adds that the terminal is expecting a record year in automotive volumes. 

“With new launches and face-lifts of some export models anticipated in the third and fourth quarters of this financial year, we are turning the corner compared with last year’s challenging performance, which was impacted by Covid-19 and its related restrictions.”

The Durban Car Terminal recorded 65% higher volumes than expected in the first quarter of the 2021/22 financial year. 

As the biggest car terminal in sub-Saharan Africa, the terminal typically handles more than 520 000 fully-built units a year, with 55%of this number exports, 10% transshipments and the remaining 35% imports. 

The facility moves 14 of the 17 models manufactured in South Africa for export to more than 150 markets worldwide, with Europe, Asia and Africa the biggest consumers. 

Some of the models include the Ford Ranger (including the Raptor variant), BMW X3, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Quantum, Mahindra S2 single cab and S10 double cab, Nissan NP300 Hardbody and the Isuzu KB.  

The Durban Car Terminal says it is preparing for the handling of two new export units from two different South African vehicle manufacturers before the end of the current financial year, ending in March next year.