Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) will welcome the ultra-large container vessel MSC Nicola Mastro to berth at the Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) this week, marking a historic milestone for the terminal and the Eastern Cape region.
Measuring 400 metres in length overall and 61 metres in beam, the vessel is expected to arrive at NCT on Thursday, 3 July, subject to weather conditions.
This will be the first time in NCT’s operational history that a vessel of this size has called, surpassing the previous benchmark set by 366-metre-class vessels.
MSC Nicola Mastro stands nearly three metres taller than vessels typically handled at NCT, South Africa’s deepest port.
In anticipation of this, the terminal’s planning and engineering teams had conducted detailed simulations and site readiness checks.
“A tidal draft of 16.1 metres further highlights the complexity of this operation, which has been meticulously planned by the terminal’s operations and engineering teams in collaboration with shipping partners and key stakeholders,” a TPT statement said.
“This landmark call reflects NCT’s growing capacity and capability to handle ultra-large container vessels, positioning it as a strategic transshipment hub for Southern Africa.”
Wandisa Vazi, managing executive for TPT’s Eastern Cape Region, said it was a historic vessel call and a proud moment for the port.
“It demonstrates our readiness to handle the world’s biggest ships and reinforces our role as a world-class terminal in Africa’s logistics chain.”
TPT said the terminal continued to invest in operational excellence, infrastructure, and stakeholder collaboration, cementing its commitment to reliable, safe, and efficient service delivery across the region.
The arrival of the MSC Nicola Mastro coincides with a period of strong performance for Transnet, which is currently reporting week-on-week above-average throughput figures, confirmed by the latest Container Movement Update from the South African Association of Freight Forwarders and Business Unity SA.
