Port guide · UN/LOCODE ZA ELS
East London, South Africa
South Africa · 33.03° S, 27.92° E
The World Port Index classes East London as a river port reached from the Indian Ocean. It records a channel depth of 11 m and a cargo pier depth of 9.4 m. Norfolk is 13,280 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.4 m
- From Norfolk
- 13,280 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Port Elizabeth230 km away
Depths and vessel limits
- Channel depth
- 11 m
- Anchorage depth
- 23.2 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.4 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 9.4 m
- Tidal range
- 2 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
East London 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
- Shelter afforded
- Excellent
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- Yes
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 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
- No
- 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 Port Elizabeth, 230 km away in a straight line.
- Cape TownCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 15.9 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkZA CPT
- DurbanCargo pier 11.9 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkZA DUR
- 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.