SAAFF applauds progress at Durban Car Terminal – a Boost for SA Inc.

Photo Caption:
Mr. Prince Magoda Manganyi – Terminal Manager Point
Ms Sue Moodley – SAAFF Alternate Director
Mr. Earl Peters – Managing Executive Durban and Cape Terminals

The Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) joins industry stakeholders in recognising a record-breaking milestone achieved by the Durban Car Terminal – handling 695 686 Fully Built Units (FBU) in the financial year ended 31 March 2026.

SAAFF was represented at the celebratory event held today by Durban-based Alternate Director Ms Sue Moodley, Chief Executive of Transport.com. The event brought together the Terminal’s ground teams, operators, management, shipping lines, automotive sector representatives and key logistics service providers from around the country.

In recognition of the significant collective focus by all stakeholders, Managing Executive, Durban and Cape Terminals Earle Peters, paid tribute, in his opening address, to the teams and all stakeholders, saying:

“Let me be clear about what this means, we did not just beat a record. We exceeded our own infrastructure’s design capacity and then came back the following year and exceeded it by even more. That is not a coincidence. That is the result of planning, discipline and an absolute refusal to settle for “good enough”,” emphasised Mr Peters.

The automotive sector is a strong contributor to South Africa’s GDP – critical to SA Inc. for economic growth and stability.

Consulting Port Engineer and SAAFF Alternate Director Nimi Ramchand highlights broader industry implications, explaining that from a freight and logistics perspective, Durban’s port terminal must be viewed beyond being a port asset – it is a strategic trade enabler that supports manufacturing, export competitiveness and supply chain confidence across South Africa.

“The bigger story for SAAFF is that record productivity at our ports signals what is achievable when port performance improves alongside vehicle demand, new model rollouts and strengthening trade momentum. High-performing automotive terminals do not only move volumes, but they also enable value creation, support OEM competitiveness, facilitate regional economic development, boost international trade and create employment across the logistics ecosystem,” says Nimi.

SAAFF commends Transnet Port Terminals for this achievement, which strengthens South Africa’s position as a leading regional automotive gateway.