Durban Port Under Strain as Middle East War Reroutes Global Shipping

Economy

By SINDI CELE and The Quest Correspondents

Durban: The war in Iran and the wider Middle East has upended global shipping, forcing vessels to abandon the Suez Canal and Red Sea in favour of the longer Cape of Good Hope route. That diversion has turned South Africa’s Port of Durban into a chokepoint of both opportunity and strain, as container traffic surges and supply chains buckle.

Port Strain

The congestion is partly caused by an increasing number of vessels stopping by the port for refueling.

Shipping giants including Maersk and CMA CGM have rerouted vessels around Africa, adding up to two weeks to transit times between Asia and Europe. Durban, already Africa’s busiest container port, is absorbing much of the redirected traffic. Transnet National Ports Authority says Durban handles about 60% of South Africa’s container volumes, and the sudden influx has stretched its capacity.

Maritime analyst Charles Matseke, speaking to Business Day, warned that Durban is now carrying the weight of global rerouting. He said if managed well, this could cement South Africa’s role as Africa’s logistics hub, but if inefficiencies persist, the port risks being overwhelmed.

Transnet has acknowledged the strain. In a recent statement, the company said it was implementing urgent interventions to ease backlogs, including equipment upgrades and operational reforms. But it conceded that congestion remains a serious challenge. “Global shipping disruptions have placed extraordinary pressure on our ports,” Transnet noted. “Durban is critical to maintaining South Africa’s trade flows, and we are working with government to stabilise operations.”

Development and Truck Delays

KwaZulu‑Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, in his February 2026 State of the Province Address, underscored Durban’s strategic role in the crisis. He said the Port of Durban is the heartbeat of the provincial economy and with global trade now passing South Africa’s shores, investment in infrastructure and efficiency must be accelerated. He added that this is not only about handling cargo, but also about jobs, growth, and positioning KwaZulu‑Natal as a global logistics hub.

This week, when The Quest visited the Durban Container Terminal at Pier 1 and Pier 2, truck drivers voiced frustration about the delays caused by the surge in traffic. Queues stretched for hours, with knock‑on effects for local supply chains and delivery schedules. “We used to move in and out in a few hours,” said Evidence Songana, a Zimbabwean trucker waiting at Pier 2. “Now we sit the whole day because the port is busy with ships from overseas. It’s costing us time and money.”

James Mulenga, a 42-year-old Zambian driver, said he often drives to the port carrying copper, but it was the first time he had to wait this long, and he has also witnessed fuel price fluctuations as he passed from one country to another to reach the Durban port.

Rising Costs

The congestion has also had tragic consequences. One truck was involved in a major multi‑vehicle accident, claiming the life of a motorist and leaving several others injured. Drivers say the pressure to meet delivery schedules despite long waits at the port is contributing to dangerous conditions on the roads.

National government has also weighed in. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, addressing Parliament, warned that spiralling oil prices and shipping delays could feed into inflation. She said the rerouting of vessels has increased costs across the supply chain and the impact is being monitored closely, as it affects food security and consumer prices.

The risks are clear: congestion, inflationary pressures, and security vulnerabilities as insurers raise premiums for vessels operating near South Africa. Yet analysts argue the crisis also presents a rare chance. Matseke added that if Durban can modernise and streamline operations, it could emerge as a global gateway. He said the Cape route may remain relevant long after the Middle East stabilises, and South Africa must seize this moment. TQ