The acquisition of hydraulic shore tension mooring units supports South Africa’s Transnet in its strategic pursuit of aligning its freight logistics business with key commodities to boost the economy.
by Blue Africa News
Container shipping efficiency at South Africa’s ports of Cape Town, Durban and Ngqura is set to improve significantly with the acquisition of eight hydraulic shore tension mooring units at a cost of R534million (US$33 million).
In a press release in early January, 2026, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), South Africa’s rail, port and pipeline state-owned company said the investment is part of TNPA’s ongoing port infrastructure development program, which seeks to improve the safety of vessels and cargo handling operations during adverse weather conditions.
With a length of 7.4m, width of 0.58m in width and height of 2m, each of the eight hydraulic tension units is designed to securely moor large and newer vessels using high-strength lines, with its functionality helping to ensure the safety of vessels alongside the berth, hence facilitating improved productivity over the quay.
Four units are for the Port of Cape Town’s container berths, while the ports of Ngqura and Durban received two units each. The delivery, TNPA said, brings the total number of units to 52 from 32 in the recent past, with the Port of Cape Town boasting the highest number of units, at 14.
According to Mohammed Abdool, TNPA Acting Chief Executive, the R534million is poised to reduce delays in vessel movements. “These critical marine mooring assets come at a crucial time to respond to climate change, which results in strong winds of 35 to 50 knots and high sea swells exceeding 3.5 meters in our ports,” said the Chief Executive.
“TNPA’s investment in reliable port assets is vital to meeting the growing demand for container movements and increasing the value of service for customers. This initiative aims to improve the ease of doing business for shipping lines and terminal operators, ultimately improving the turnaround time for cargo handling.”
Notably, it supports Transnet’s strategic pursuit of aligning its freight logistics business with key commodities to boost the South African economy. The country’s container sector is showing steady growth, particularly driven by agricultural exports.
The new venture was informed by a steady increase in container volume throughput recorded at the three South African ports in a period of eight months, between April and December, 2025.
“From April to December 2025, TNPA recorded a container volume throughput of approximately 3.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which is 2.3% above budget for the period,” said TNPA.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, the company anticipates continued growth, forecasting a surge in container volume throughput to reach 4.5 million TEUs against an annual budget of 4.4 million TEUs.
A shore tension system, according to porttechnology.org plays critical roles in shipping, as it prevents lines from breaking, improves the stability of the ship while being moored, and increases the safety and speed of on- and offloading, among other advantages.
Infrastructural development has in recent months been a priority for TNPA, as the enterprise works to strengthen service quality, reliability, competitiveness, and overall attractiveness across Transnet’s network.
In November 2025, the firm received a commitment for a R6 billion (€300 million) loan from the French Development Agency (AFD), with support from the European Union, to accelerate its decarbonisation program and broader sustainability objectives.
The deal was reached during the recently concluded G20 Summit hosted by South Africa, with the funding expected to support TNPA in its transition toward net-zero emissions.
The funding from AFD will assist the company in revitalising its infrastructure while supporting the clean energy initiatives under the capital investment program.
Significantly, it will help promote the shift from road transport to rail, including the rehabilitation of 550 km of railway in South Africa, as it forms part of France’s contribution to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) initiative, which AFD has been implementing in South Africa since 2021.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News
