The Development of the Container Port System in Southern Africa

Abstract

The Southern African container port system features a diverse range of different port types and sizes from five African countries. The region has seen strong port development in the past decades with new ports entering the market and existing ports expanding their supply. Competitive dynamics in the Southern African container port system are however not well researched. This chapter provides an assessment of the development paths of the ports and related multi-port gateway regions in the Southern African container port system. The drivers behind these development dynamics are further examined by elaborating on inter-port competition for hinterland cargo and transhipment flows, terminal capacity investments and the evolving governance/regulatory frameworks.