South Africa’s bulk port shipments edge up 1% m-o-m in July as Transnet rail recovery supports exports

• Transnet’s rail recovery supports bulk export flows
• Saldanha Bay gains offset a marginal decline at Richards Bay

South Africa’s shipments from key bulk export ports edged up 1% m-o-m to 13.25 million tonnes (mnt) in July 2026, from 13.08 mnt in June. Higher shipments from Saldanha Bay offset a marginal decline at Richards Bay, while improving Transnet Freight Rail performance provided broader support to export flows. However, scheduled maintenance on the Richards Bay coal corridor constrained movement toward month-end.

Port-wise performance

• Port Saldanha Bay: Shipments rose 6% m-o-m to 5.75 mnt in July from 5.43 mnt in June, driven by firmer iron ore flows. Better equipment availability on the Ore Export Corridor also supported the increase.
• Port Richards Bay: Shipments fell 2% m-o-m to 7.50 mnt from 7.65 mnt. Scheduled maintenance on the coal line from 21 July to 1 August temporarily affected rail flows, partly offsetting improvements in corridor operations.

Rail recovery gains momentum

Transnet’s bulk rail performance continued to improve in July, with better locomotive availability, fewer security incidents and more reliable operations supporting the export network. Despite the improvement, maintenance requirements and infrastructure constraints continue to limit the pace of recovery.

Outlook

Bulk export shipments are likely to remain supported by improving rail reliability and equipment availability. Further operational gains across Transnet’s coal and ore corridors could lift volumes through Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay, although maintenance and infrastructure-related disruptions remain key risks.