Billions have been invested in a multi-phased Terminal upgrade plan of which Phase 1 has already been completed. This includes the extending of the quay wall by 10m over the entire 1137m length of the quay, at a depth of 15.5m. Phase 2 will increase capacity from 1 million TEU to 1.4 million TEU. The upgrade includes the construction of 2700 reefer plug points totaling 3 752 points. The first upgrade has allowed the terminal to receive and service 8000 TEU vessels 19 containers stacked across 8 high on deck with ease. The six new super post panamax ship-to-shore gantry craneshave improved service levels to customer vessels considerably by maintaining a world-class standard of 32 gross crane moves per hour (GCH) since the beginning of the current calendar year.

Fruit and fresh produce are the CTCT's major export commodities and the port infrastructure allows for this time-sensitive cargo to leave inland terminals/packhouses, and arrive at their chosen destination in peak condition. The terminal is well connected to its hinterland through extensive rail and road networks. Today, CTCT employs about 800 employees.

The largest natural, deep-water port in the Southern Hemisphere, situated 140 km northwest of Cape Town. The Saldanha Bulk Terminal has an average draft of between 18 to 20 meters across with two berths that accommodates Cape-sized vessels. The terminal remains the largest iron ore export facility in Africa loading on average 25 vessels per month.

Transnet Port Terminals Saldanha consists of two key Terminals: namely the Iron Ore Terminal, which has an installed capacity of 57 million tons of iron ore, whilst the Multi-Purpose Terminal has an installed capacity of 8.5 Million tons of break bulk Cargo.

The Iron Ore Terminal is the largest iron ore export facility in Africa and South Africa’s only dedicated iron ore terminal. It is the deepest and largest natural port in Southern Africa. In 1969 feasibility studies for an extensive iron ore export project were conducted and Construction began in 1973. The first deliveries of iron ore were exported on the vessel Fern Sea during September 1976. Customers began with iron ore exports in 1980, using the terminal to export its iron ore and later in 1998 the Saldanha Steel Mill was commissioned. Plant was decommissioned March 2020. It is a highly mechanized ore-handling plant where to date in excess of 1.1 Billion tons of iron ore has been exported through the Iron Ore Terminal.

The Multi-Purpose Terminal plays a major role in SA manganese export market and in addition to manganese the terminal plays a major support role in iron ore exports.

The Iron Ore Terminal Saldanha is the only dedicated iron ore terminal in Saldanha and accounts for roughly 96% of all iron ore exports from South Africa, with the remaining 4% channelled through MPT Saldanha.

The iron mines are situated in the Northern Cape - 861km from Saldanha Bay. The operation is capital intensive and operates 24/7 with only Labour Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day classified as voluntary public holidays.

The Saldanha Multipurpose Terminal services mainly bulk clients, with only 5% accounting for breakbulk during the previous financial year. Manganese accounted for 49% of total volumes handled at MPT for the 2019/20 financial year, and iron ore 26%.

The Multipurpose Terminal has four berths in total, with berths 203 and 204 dedicated to manganese and iron ore vessels only – vessel scheduling is as per slot system. Berths 201 and 202 operate on a 14-day nomination rule and service all breakbulk cargo, as well as other bulk commodities (all bulk cargo except the manganese and iron ore).

For 2020/21 YTD, manganese accounted for 77,8% of revenue, and iron ore 10,9%. Total bulk cargo account for ~ 99% of revenue for 2020/21 YTD.

Employing a combined staff complement of 671, the terminal's tonnage capacity is currently at 57 million tons per annum of bulk and 8,5 million tons per annum for break bulk. The terminal will increase its current bulk capacity to 65 million tons per annum in the next six years. Saldanha is water-scarce area and to ensure sufficient fresh water, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) invested in a reverse osmosis plant that uses the existing seawater, sifts it of brine and salt for use in dust control management at the terminal.