South Africa’s Bulk Exports Grow by 5.2 Percent in 2025 Driving Strong Performance at Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay Ports

South Africa’s bulk export sector ended 2025 on a high note, posting a 5.2% increase from the previous year, according to Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

The total tonnage exported reached 166.6 million tons (Mt), bringing it within striking distance of pre-pandemic highs and signaling a strong trajectory for 2026.

September 2025 Hints at Record-Breaking Potential

September alone saw 17.3 Mt of bulk exports shipped from South African ports.

Analysts suggest that if this monthly pace continues through 2026, total exports could hit 207.3 Mt, surpassing all previous records.

This kind of performance reflects both growing global demand and improvements in port efficiency.

Historical Context Shows Resilience

While some critics label certain periods in South Africa’s economic history as “wasted years,” TNPA data paints a more nuanced picture.

Between 2008 and 2017, bulk exports increased from 115.6 Mt to 171.3 Mt—a 48.1% rise.

If similar growth trends are sustained from 2023 to 2032, South Africa could see bulk exports reaching 230 Mt within a decade.

Main Ports Driving Growth

Most of the country’s bulk exports pass through two main ports.

Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) primarily handles coal, while Saldanha Bay serves the iron ore industry via the Sishen-Saldanha railway line.

RBCT has a design capacity of 91 Mt per year and peaked at 76.5 Mt in 2017, leaving room for further expansion.

Saldanha Bay continues to serve as a key gateway for iron ore, while other ports like Cape Town, Durban, Ngqura, East London, and Port Elizabeth focus mainly on containers, vehicles, and other specialized cargo.

Opportunities for Further Expansion

Transnet has identified opportunities to return to and surpass 2017 export levels.

Ngqura, for example, is underutilized and could handle increased manganese exports.

Meanwhile, growing demand from markets such as India provides additional incentive to expand capacity and optimize logistics at existing bulk terminals.

Factors Supporting Continued Growth

Several structural factors support the upward trend.

These include infrastructure investments, improved port management, and steady global demand for coal, iron ore, and manganese.

If export levels continue to climb, South Africa could achieve record-breaking annual tonnage in 2026.

What’s Next?

Industry watchers will be closely monitoring monthly export figures for 2026 to see if the current pace holds.

Transnet aims to regain and exceed 2017 performance within the next three years.

Policymakers, private sector partners, and global buyers will all be tracking the growth, while initiatives to improve underutilized ports like Ngqura could further boost bulk exports.

Summary

South Africa’s bulk exports rose by 5.2% in 2025 to reach 166.6 Mt, approaching pre-pandemic levels.

Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay continue to dominate the sector, while other ports remain focused on containers and specialized cargo. September 2025 alone saw 17.3 Mt exported, suggesting that a new annual record of 207.3 Mt is achievable in 2026.

Historical growth trends and increasing demand from India position the country for further expansion in bulk exports, with Transnet aiming to surpass the 2017 peak within the next three years.f