Port operators are continuing their expansion across Africa. ICTSI is establishing a presence in South Africa, while Marsa Maroc has acquired a stake in Boluda Maritime Terminals.
According to the UNCTAD preliminary report, Southern countries, including many African states, are driving economic growth, attracting global port operators to invest in container terminals.
Marsa Maroc joins Boluda Maritime Terminals
On 15 December, Marsa Maroc took a 45% stake in the Spanish company Boluda Maritime Terminals (BMT), pending regulatory approval. BMT’s handling subsidiary processes around 1 million TEUs annually across nine ports in the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands. This partnership is part of a strategy to strengthen their position along the Morocco-Spain corridor and marks a key step for Marsa Maroc, which now operates 34 terminals in 20 ports across acquisitions.
ICTSI enters Durban Pier 2
Earlier, on 10 December, ICTSI, a Philippines-based port operator, confirmed its entry into South Africa by winning the concession for Pier 2 of Durban port. South Africa had been the last African country to maintain fully state-controlled container handling. The concession is part of a broader economic reform program.
A joint venture with majority Transnet ownership
The contract between Transnet and ICTSI establishes a joint company, Newco, owned 51% by Transnet and 49% by ICTSI. Newco will operate and modernize Durban’s container terminal, becoming operational on 1 January 2026. The agreement follows two years of negotiations, with ICTSI being selected as the preferred bidder in 2023.
Increasing capacity and efficiency
Currently, Pier 2 handles 2 million TEUs annually. ICTSI’s modernization program will increase capacity to 2.8 million TEUs and improve productivity from 18 to 28 movements per hour, aiming to reduce logistical costs and enhance service quality, according to Michelle Phillips, CEO of Transnet.
Addressing congestion in Durban
Durban ranks 77th globally in container ports (Dynamar) and handled 2.6 million TEUs in 2024, a 4% increase from 2023. However, congestion is frequent in its container terminals. ICTSI’s arrival is expected to improve cargo movements and position Durban as a key hub in the Western Indian Ocean.
Source: portsetcorridors
