Port guide · UN/LOCODE ZA CPT
Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa · 33.92° S, 18.42° E
The World Port Index classes Cape Town as a coastal harbor sheltered by breakwaters on the South Atlantic Ocean. It records a channel depth of 15.9 m and a cargo pier depth of 15.5 m. Norfolk is 12,550 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 15.9 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 15.5 m
- Max vessel length
- 339.6 m
- From Norfolk
- 12,550 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Simonstown30 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 339.6 m and a maximum draft of 15 m.
- Channel depth
- 15.9 m
- Anchorage depth
- 23.2 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 15.5 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 14.2 m
- Tidal range
- 1.2 m
- Entrance width
- 450 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 339.6 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 63.1 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 15 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Cape Town is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Tug salvage
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Port security
- Yes
- Vessel traffic service
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Good
- Entrance restricted by tide
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- Yes
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 50 to 100 tons.
- Container
- Yes
- Ro-ro
- Yes
- Breakbulk
- Yes
- Solid bulk
- Yes
- Liquid bulk
- Yes
- Oil terminal
- Yes
- LNG terminal
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Large
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated major.
- Repairs
- Major
- Dry dock
- Large
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with South Africa
- US exports, 2025
- $6.3BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
- US imports, 2025
- $16.5BLed by precious stones, metals and jewelry
Other ports in South Africa
The nearest is Simonstown, 30 km away in a straight line.
- DurbanCargo pier 11.9 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkZA DUR
- East LondonCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11 mZA ELS
- Mossel BayCargo pier 7.2 m, channel 7.9 mZA MZY
- Port ElizabethCargo pier 12.2 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkZA PLZ
- Richards BayCargo pier 19 m, channel 18.9 m, container and breakbulkZA RCB
- Saldanha BayCargo pier 23 m, channel 23.2 mZA SDB
- SimonstownCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 mZA SMN
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.