Port Of Cape Town

Description

The Port of Cape Town is situated in Table Bay near the southernmost point of Africa along one of the busiest trade routes in the world. With a backdrop of Table Mountain, it is one of the most attractive ports in the world and a popular stopover for cruise liners. The port handles the largest amount of fresh fruit and fish and is the second busiest container port in the world after Durban.

As the port is located close to all of Cape Town’s top tourist attractions, it is a favourite stopover for cruise ships, especially those involved in around the world trips. Cruise liners are accommodated in the main harbour where security is tighter, but there are plans to build a new passenger terminal in a more suitable location.

Today the port consists of 2 docks, namely the larger outer Ben Schoeman Dock in the container terminal, and the older inner Duncan Dock containing multi-purpose and fruit terminals. There is also a dry dock, ship repair quay, tanker basin, and an expansive yachting marina.

The port has good rail and road connections, but can be subject to strong winds which can affect the cargo and ship handling, especially in summer.

The V&A Waterfront at the old Cape Town harbour is a popular tourist attraction with a shopping mall, restaurants, business centres, aquarium, and entertainment areas. Smaller commercial vessels offer fishing and leisure cruises from the piers.

Facilities

• Ben Schoeman Dock - container terminal
• Duncan Dock - multi-purpose and fruit termainals, dry dock, repair quay, and tanker basin
• Yachting marina
• Victoria & Alfred Basins - main piers of the original Cape Town harbour
• Tug boats
• Ship repairs
• 34 berths
• Synchrolift
• Cold store
• Grain elevator