SOUTH Africa’s state-owned terminal operator Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) handled a total of 792,574 fully built units (FBU) between 1 April 2025 and 15 February 2026, including new import vehicles, those for export, and transshipments.

According to TPT, the past 10 months have seen the three car terminals located in Durban, Gqeberha and East London break seven productivity records, driven by increased volumes of FBUs moving on and off car carriers. The introduction of new vehicle distributors such as Jameel Motors, along with the return of automotive importers including MG, JMC, TATA, and Geely to the South African market, has significantly supported the sector’s improved performance.

Locally based automotive original equipment manufacturers have also contributed to the positive trajectory, with exports meeting Euro emission standards and meeting international demand. New models such as the Ranger PHEV and BMW hybrid, introduced in late 2024, begun ramping up production in 2025, further strengthening export volumes, according to TPT.

In addition to the surge in import and export volumes, transshipment activity has shown notable improvement compared to the previous year. Despite strong competition from port terminals along the Eastern coast of Africa, transshipment volumes continue to rise – contributing significantly to overall volume growth which further positions TPT’s automotive terminals as a preferred automotive hub.

General manager of Commercial and Planning at TPT Michelle van Buren Schele said, “We have had to reinvent ourselves for growth as a business. Our initiatives coincided with improved market conditions, lower inflation and interest rates which sparked the demand we have witnessed.”