Grindrod Opens New Container Depot in Salt River, Cape Town, Boosting Efficiencies in Containerised Cargo

Grindrod Limited (Grindrod), a JSE-listed freight and logistics company, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, United Container Depots (UCD), has officially opened its new depot in Salt River, Cape Town. The new container depot, less than three kilometres from the Port of Cape Town, marks a significant expansion of UCD’s national footprint and strengthens Cape Town’s role as a global trade gateway.

The Salt River site, leased from Transnet Properties, underwent significant development to prepare it for full container handling. The depot now offers capacity for 5,000 TEUs. It is equipped with 240 reefer plugs, on-site reefer preparation, and staging areas, ensuring the integrity of South Africa’s key exports such as citrus and grapes.

With Phase 1 of the development now complete, planning has already commenced for the development of Phase 2. Since the depot is rail-linked to the Port of Cape Town, the development of the private rail sidings in Phase 2 would offer exporters a seamless logistics solution while reducing pressure on already congested port roads.

“Containerised cargo is integral to global trade and integral to Grindrod’s strategy of creating cost-effective and efficient customer solutions. We are not just opening a depot, we are opening opportunities for exporters, for importers, for farmers, for manufacturers, and for communities,” said Xolani Mbambo, CEO of Grindrod Limited.

Speaking at the event, the Provincial Minister of Agriculture and Economic Development and Tourism, Dr. Ivan Meyer said: “This is a proud and exciting moment for me and for maritime logistics in the Western Cape, and takes us a step closer to the day when maritime logistics through the Port of Cape Town is globally competitive and growing to unlock quality of life and business opportunities for all, adding that “the opening of the United Container back-of-port facility affirms the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy — a strategy that aims for breakout economic growth, creating jobs, confidence, hope, and opportunities to thrive. The Western Cape intends to become a regional investment destination of choice in Africa. We anticipate 220,000 net new jobs, with 20,000 likely to be created in the Port of Cape Town container logistics ecosystem. We also expect to triple exports to R450bn by 2035”.

UCD has over 40 years of experience in servicing and handling containers for major shipping lines. Together with depots in Johannesburg and Durban, UCD provides a full suite of container logistics solutions, including storage, repairs, reefer services, warehousing, bulk minerals handling, and transport, with a combined capacity of nearly 13,500 TEUs nationwide.

Grindrod was awarded the concession to build and operate the container terminal in Richards Bay earlier this year.