The Port of Cape Town has been ranked as the worst-performing container port in the world according to the World Bank's 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPCI) [1].
This ranking highlights critical infrastructure failures that can stifle regional trade and increase the cost of goods for South African consumers. As a primary gateway for shipping, the port's inability to handle containers efficiently creates bottlenecks that ripple through the national supply chain.
The report, produced by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, evaluated 400 ports worldwide [1]. The Port of Cape Town placed last among these entries [1]. The ranking is based on ship-handling performance, which measures the time a vessel spends in port from the moment it enters to the moment it leaves.
Analysts said several factors contributed to the low ranking. These include significant delays, poor operational efficiency, and various operational challenges that reduce the speed at which ships are processed [2, 3]. Such inefficiencies often lead to vessels idling outside the harbor, increasing fuel costs, and delaying the delivery of imports and exports [2].
Local stakeholders and experts said urgent action is needed from Transnet, the state-owned company responsible for managing South Africa's rail and port infrastructure [4]. The demand for better management and increased investment follows a pattern of operational struggles that have plagued the facility in recent years [1].
While the index focuses on the 2025 data, the results were reported this week [1]. The findings suggest that without systemic reform, the port will continue to struggle against global competitors that have modernized their container handling technology and streamlined their administrative processes [3, 4].
“The Port of Cape Town placed last among 400 ports worldwide.”
The ranking indicates a systemic failure in South Africa's maritime logistics. When a primary port is ranked lowest globally, it suggests that the cost of doing business in the region is higher than in almost any other port city. This inefficiency likely discourages foreign direct investment and makes the local economy more vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions.
