Operations at Transnet’s Durban Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) were temporarily suspended after a fire broke out at D Berth on the evening of 22 June, prompting an emergency response and briefly disrupting activities at one of South Africa’s busiest port facilities.
According to reports, the incident occurred while a vessel was berthed alongside the quay, with initial indications suggesting that a mobile harbour crane may have caught fire. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the incident, and investigations remain ongoing.
The blaze, which was visible from several parts of Durban, triggered an immediate response from emergency services and port personnel. As a precautionary measure, terminal operations in the affected area were suspended while firefighting teams worked to contain and extinguish the fire.
Transnet confirmed that operations at the Durban Multi-Purpose Terminal were impacted for approximately one hour before normal activities resumed.
“The Durban Multi-Purpose Terminal can confirm that terminal operations were temporarily affected on the evening of June 22 for approximately an hour due to a fire incident at D Berth,” Transnet said in a statement.
“The fire was successfully extinguished, and there were no injuries. All affected stakeholders were informed, and operations in the affected section fully resumed after an hour. The cause of the incident is being investigated.”
No injuries were reported during the incident, and port authorities acted swiftly to minimise operational disruption. The extent of any damage to equipment or terminal infrastructure has not yet been disclosed.
The Durban Multi-Purpose Terminal plays a critical role in South Africa’s logistics network, handling a wide variety of breakbulk, project cargo, steel products, bulk commodities, and specialised cargoes. Any interruption to operations at the facility has the potential to impact cargo movement, vessel scheduling, and supply chain activities across the region.
Port equipment such as mobile harbour cranes operates under demanding conditions and plays a vital role in maintaining cargo throughput. Incidents involving terminal equipment can lead to operational delays and additional maintenance requirements, highlighting the importance of stringent safety protocols and preventive maintenance programmes within port environments.
While the disruption was short-lived, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and rapid response capabilities at major logistics hubs. As investigations continue, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the findings to determine the cause of the fire and assess whether any additional safety measures may be required.
The Port of Durban remains Africa’s busiest container and general cargo port, making operational reliability and infrastructure resilience critical to supporting regional and international trade flows.
