Durban taking off
The Dube Cargo Terminal at King Shaka International Airport in Durban (South Africa) has increased its throughput of late. Its modern infrastructure, strategic location and international partnerships make the facility and Durban a serious player in the global airfreight business. Thola Nzuza reports from South Africa for the ITJ.
In recent years King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) has emerged as a formidable player in the air cargo logistics sector, particularly in South Africa, thanks to the Dube Cargo Terminal. The increase in its cargo volumes has rapidly strengthened the terminal’s role in international cargo movement in the region. The surge highlights its capacities, efficiency and strategic importance in facilitating global trade.
Expanding the cargo hub landscape
Historically speaking, OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) has been the primary hub for international cargo movement in South Africa, due to its size and extensive operational network. However, the emergence of King Shaka International Airport (DUR / KSIA) and the establishment of the Dube Cargo Terminal there in 2010 significantly transformed the air cargo logistics landscape in South Africa.
One important point in its favour is the fact that the terminal is recognised as one of Africa’s most secure cargo centres. Mlibo Bantwini, the business services executive at the Dube Trade Port (DTP) Special Economic Zone, noted that “our facility has maintained a flawless record of 0% cargo loss since we opened our doors in May 2010.”
The growth of KSIA’s cargo terminal post-2022 is particularly noteworthy. Its ability to handle increased cargo volumes reflects a shift in focus by logistics providers and shippers seeking alternatives to traditional hubs.
The terminal has demonstrated its resilience, with cargo throughput rising by 57% between September 2023 and January 2024, driven by growth in perishable cargos and challenges in the port of Durban. Following this surge, throughput is projected to grow 8% year-on-year during 2024-2025, building on the cargo hub’s impressive handling of 14,424 t of freight last year.
In 2024, more than 900 t of perishable goods were exported to the Middle East and Europe, fuelled by strong international demand. The terminal’s capacity to handle specialised cargo, including oversized items such as heavy machinery and large animals, has further enhanced its appeal to global markets.
Bantwini confirmed that increased air connectivity between Durban and international markets has boosted airfreight capacity on passenger aircraft serving these routes.
Four factors are crucial
Several key factors have driven the terminal’s success in the air cargo sector of late, including its modern infrastructure. Investment in advanced technology and facilities have boosted efficiency, making it a preferred choice for international cargo airlines. Secondly, there’s its strategic location. Its positioning enables seamless access to markets in Southern Africa and beyond, optimising supply chains for logistics providers.
Ongoing airline partnerships have also played a role. KSIA has collaborated with global cargo airlines to strengthen the terminal’s reputation as a reliable hub.
And last but not least, the terminal has benefited on growing demand for air cargo, with expanding e-commerce volumes and the need for fast deliveries fuelling demand. KSIA and Dube Cargo Terminal have capitalised on this trend, attracting business and expanding cargo operations.
Bantwini thus anticipates a 7-9% increase in throughput at the Dube Cargo Terminal over the next year. Durban’s capacity further supports airfreight for commodities that are usually transported by sea, including components for the automotive industry.
Impact on the regional cargo dynamic
The Dube Cargo Terminal’s growth has broader implications for regional and global cargo dynamics. As it expands, it may influence cargo routing patterns and divert traffic from traditional hubs.
Moreover, the facility’s emergence as a cargo hub is in line with global trends towards decentralisation in air cargo logistics. Companies are increasingly diversifying their supply chains, which allows the terminal to capture a share of an evolving market.
Bantwini emphasised this great potential, stating that the Dube Cargo Terminal aims to be a trustworthy partner for shippers seeking reliable logistics solutions. “In collaboration with our airline partners we plan to establish new regional routes to leverage opportunities such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, as we believe airfreight is definitely the quickest way to access promising new markets.”