Port guide · UN/LOCODE ZA SMN
Simonstown, South Africa
South Africa · 34.19° S, 18.44° E · Also listed as Simonsbaai
The World Port Index classes Simonstown as a coastal harbor sheltered by breakwaters on the South Atlantic Ocean. It records a channel depth of 7.9 m and a cargo pier depth of 7.9 m. Norfolk is 12,570 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 7.9 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 7.9 m
- Max vessel length
- 195 m
- From Norfolk
- 12,570 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Cape Town30 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 195 m and a maximum draft of 9 m.
- Channel depth
- 7.9 m
- Anchorage depth
- 12 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 7.9 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 195 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 9 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
Pilotage is compulsory.
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Tug salvage
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Good
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 100 tons and over.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 100 tons and over
- Yes
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Small
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated emergency only.
- Repairs
- Emergency Only
- Dry dock
- Medium
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- No
- Diesel oil
- No
- Potable water
- 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 Cape Town, 30 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
- 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
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.