The first nine of 28 new rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) have been introduced at the Cape Town Container Terminal as part of a R3.4-billion investment programme at the facility by Transnet Port Terminals.
The new diesel-electric RTGs are equipped with an anti-sway system and will operate at wind speeds of at least 90 km/h, compared with current RTGs that can operate at wind speeds of up to 72 km/h.
They are also fitted with video cameras that provide operators with a 3D view to assist with load handling, spreader handling and crane operation.
The equipment is being introduce alongside other initiatives to improve efficiencies at the terminal, including the addition of a fourth shift, a performance-based incentive scheme as well as real-time performance monitoring.
The changes have already helped improve operational performance at a terminal that faced serious vessel queues and backlogs last year.
Transnet reports that the terminal increased its period-on-period refrigerated container volumes by 32% as at the end of August 2025, while overall export volumes were up by 24%. 
