International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), the global ports operator led by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr., has initiated formal management integration at Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 (DCT2), a major step in one of South Africa’s most significant port partnerships.
The transition follows a 25-year joint venture agreement signed with Transnet SOC Ltd., the South African state-owned company that owns and manages the country’s rail, port, and pipeline infrastructure. Formal management takeover commenced on January 1.
DCT2 is Transnet’s largest container terminal, accounting for more than 70 percent of the Port of Durban’s total throughput and about 46 percent of South Africa’s overall port traffic. The facility spans 1,760 meters of operational quay length and covers 120 hectares of container storage and backup areas, making it a strategic gateway for regional and global trade.
ICTSI said the partnership represents a key milestone in the government’s broader push to modernize infrastructure by bringing private-sector expertise into critical operations. The company noted that the collaboration is designed to lift terminal performance, boost volumes, and strengthen the reliability of container supply chains.
Under the structure, Transnet retains majority ownership in a newly formed special purpose vehicle, while ICTSI takes responsibility for day-to-day terminal operations and development. Transnet selected ICTSI as the preferred bidder in July 2023 following what it described as a competitive and transparent procurement process.
The joint venture includes a major upgrade program, featuring new equipment and advanced technologies. These investments are expected to raise annual capacity from two million to 2.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units, while significantly improving crane productivity and vessel turnaround times.
The Durban project further expands ICTSI’s global footprint and positions the terminal as a more efficient hub for African and international trade.
