Ship chandlers & ship supply at Durban ZADUR

The WFP Logistics Cluster describes Durban as the main container port on the South African coast, handling about 60% of the country’s container traffic and serving KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and much of the southern African hinterland. It is a common-user port managed by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), which provides marine services including tugs and pilotage.^[1]

—Layout: 59 berths (not counting fishing and ship repair), an inner anchorage in the bay and extensive safe anchorage outside. The entrance channel, worked 24 hours a day, is 19 m deep and 222 m wide; vessels up to 300 m long and 37 m beam can enter.^[1]

—Terminals: the two main container terminals, Pier 1 and Pier 2; Maydon Wharf (container and break-bulk, plus multi-product and dry-bulk berths); the Bluff for minerals; and Island View for hydrocarbons.^[1]

—DCT Pier 2 changed operator on 1 January 2026: Transnet and ICTSI signed a 25-year partnership in December 2025, with Transnet keeping the majority share and ICTSI running the terminal. The aim is to lift capacity from 2 million to 2.8 million TEU and crane productivity from 18 to 28 gross moves an hour.^[2]

Pier 1 and Pier 2 work fixed berthing windows agreed each year with the major lines, which guarantee a departure time if the ship arrives on schedule and stays within its contracted moves. Outside those agreements berth availability is limited, and the assessment warns unscheduled calls may wait 3–7 days.^[1]

—That wait at the anchorage is the supply window for a tramp or off-schedule call: line up stores, spares and crew logistics through your agent before the ship arrives.

—Pilotage: under the Port Rules made under the National Ports Act 2005, pilotage is compulsory for vessels entering, leaving or moving within a port. The Harbour Master can let a master sail without a pilot on a named occasion, or issue a pilotage exemption licence, and can suspend or cancel that licence.^[3]

—Waste: every terminal operator and master must use the port’s facilities for receiving waste from vessels, and galley waste must be disposed of under the Port Waste Management Plan. Where a berth has no terminal operator, the Authority can require the owner or master to procure reception from a licensed waste disposal provider; facilities a terminal provides must be open to every vessel using that terminal.^[4,5]

—Bunkers: bunkering operators — offshore ship-to-ship included — apply to the South African Maritime Safety Authority under the Prevention and Combating of Pollution of the Sea by Oil Act 1981, and must also satisfy SARS and TNPA. Check that the supplier your agent nominates holds all three.^[6]

—Provisions, deck and engine stores, spares and fresh water are arranged commercially through your agent. Post a requirement and suppliers serving Durban answer with sealed bids; suppliers never see the vessel’s name until award. If you supply ships in Durban, activate Durban.