The Port of Cape Town
The Port of Cape Town is located on the shores of Table Bay, below Table Mountain. It offers many services and boasts an extensive range of equipment. It serves the Western Cape, Eastern Transvaal, Gauteng industrial area and neighbouring African countries. Although, it is the furthest port from the industrial centre of South Africa (Gauteng province), importers prefer to use it for high value/time sensitive cargoes from Europe and the Americas.
The map above shows the location of the port. Ships enter from Table Bay and are mostly docked at the Duncan Dock. The Victoria and Alfred Basins are used by smaller vessels and therefore are not so busy.
Facts and Figures
The Port of Cape Town handled more than 13 million tons of cargo in 1997 and has an annual turnover of approximately R700 million.
The resultant movement of goods, based on declared customs values, is estimated to be in excess of R20 billion.
The port is renowned for its deciduous fruit exports, along with perishables and other frozen products.
The port serves a a hub port from which feeder services are offered to Namibia and West African countries, as well as transhipments between vessels.
Secondary businesses include hosting local and foreign fishing fleets (eg: Japanese and Taiwanese fleets), operating in the South Atlantic and South Indian Oceans, ship repair, fuel bunker supply and being a logistical base for many countries linked to Antarctica.
Marine Services
Navigation within the port limits is controlled by Port Control which provides a 24 hour communication to vessels entering and leaving the port by means of VHF radio. Vessels are constantly monitored by modern radar equipment. Buoys, beacons and lighthouses are strategically placed to navigate ships in the area.
Pilotage at the port is compulsory. Man ropes must be suppiled and Pilot hoists are not acceptable, except by prior arrangement and subject to prevailing weather conditions.
Tugs, with a bollard pull of 41 tonnes, allow for a safe and efficient service for ships handling operations.
Due to recent political changes in South Africa, the Port of Cape Town is facing up to the challenge of increasing international interest. Trade, both national and international, through cost-effective cargo management is what is needed to sustain the port's reputation as one of the most important in Africa and the world in general.