The Port of Durban handles 60% of South Africa's import shipments, making it the busiest container port on the African continent. V & S Freight operates right at the heart of this activity — our office at Margaret Mncadi Avenue is minutes from the Container Terminal, Maydon Wharf, and Island View terminals.
Sea Freight Services
FCL — Full Container Load
When you have enough cargo to fill an entire container, FCL is the most cost-effective and secure option. Your goods are sealed at origin and opened only at destination or customs inspection.
Standard container sizes:
- 20ft container — 33 CBM capacity, ~28,000 kg max payload
- 40ft container — 67 CBM capacity, ~26,000 kg max payload
- 40ft High Cube — 76 CBM capacity, ideal for voluminous goods
- Speciality containers — Flat racks, open tops, reefer (refrigerated)
LCL — Less than Container Load
For smaller shipments that don't fill a container, LCL shares space with other consignments. You pay only for the space your cargo occupies.
LCL is ideal for:
- Shipments under 15 CBM
- Trial orders and samples
- Regular small-batch imports
Breakbulk & Project Cargo
Not all cargo fits in containers. Breakbulk shipping handles individual heavy pieces — steel beams, heavy machinery, transformers, turbines, and construction materials. We coordinate loading, securing, and transit for oversized and abnormal cargo.
Bulk Cargo
Raw materials like minerals, grain, coal, and chemicals shipped in large, unpackaged quantities. Bulk carriers dock at specialised terminals in Durban's port.
RoRo — Roll on Roll off
Vehicles, heavy equipment, and wheeled cargo driven directly onto specialised ships. This is the most common method for car shipping and heavy machinery. Learn about RoRo →
Abnormal Cargo
Extra-heavy or oversized shipments requiring special permits, route surveys, and customised loading plans. Typical abnormal cargo includes mining equipment, wind turbine components, and industrial plant.
How Sea Freight Works
- Enquiry & Quote — Share cargo details and we'll provide rates from multiple shipping lines. Get a quote.
- Booking — We secure space on the optimal vessel for your timeline and budget.
- Documentation — Bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificates of origin — we prepare or verify everything.
- Export Clearing — For exports, we handle all SARS documentation.
- Ocean Transit — Your cargo ships on schedule. We provide tracking updates.
- Arrival & Import Clearing — When cargo reaches Durban Port, we lodge customs entries via EDI for fastest clearance.
- Delivery — Port collection, road freight delivery, or warehouse storage.
Transit Times to/from Durban
| Route | FCL Transit | LCL Transit |
|---|---|---|
| China (Shanghai/Shenzhen) → Durban | 25-30 days | 30-40 days |
| India (Mumbai/Chennai) → Durban | 14-18 days | 20-28 days |
| UAE (Dubai/Jebel Ali) → Durban | 12-16 days | 18-24 days |
| UK (Felixstowe/Southampton) → Durban | 21-25 days | 28-35 days |
| Germany (Hamburg/Bremerhaven) → Durban | 20-24 days | 27-33 days |
| USA (New York/Los Angeles) → Durban | 28-35 days | 35-45 days |
| Durban → Mozambique (Maputo) | 3-5 days | 5-8 days |
Transit times are estimates and vary by shipping line, transhipment, and port congestion.
Sea Freight Costs
Sea freight rates depend on:
- Container type and size — 20ft, 40ft, high cube, reefer, specialized
- Route — Distance, shipping lane traffic, fuel costs
- Season — Peak seasons (pre-Chinese New Year, Q4) command higher rates
- Cargo type — Dangerous goods, reefer, and abnormal cargo attract surcharges
- Port charges — Terminal handling, wharfage, cargo dues at Durban Port
Indicative FCL rates to Durban:
- From China: R25,000 – R45,000 (20ft) / R35,000 – R65,000 (40ft)
- From India: R18,000 – R30,000 (20ft)
- From Europe: R22,000 – R40,000 (20ft)
These are freight-only rates. Customs duty, VAT, and local charges are additional. Get an accurate quote.
Key Shipping Lines We Work With
V & S Freight has strong relationships with major NVOCCs and shipping lines operating through Durban Port, including MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, and Hapag-Lloyd. These relationships translate into competitive rates and reliable bookings for our clients.
Durban Port — Africa's Busiest
The Port of Durban features:
- Container Terminal — Pier 1 and Pier 2, handling over 2.5 million TEUs annually
- Maydon Wharf — Breakbulk, general cargo, and bulk operations
- Island View — Liquid bulk and chemicals
- Bayhead — Vehicle terminal for RoRo operations
Read our complete Durban Port guide →
Industries Using Sea Freight
- Retail — Bulk consumer goods from Asia and Europe
- Construction — Steel, cement, heavy materials
- Mining — Equipment imports, mineral exports
- Automotive — Vehicle shipping via RoRo and container
- Agriculture — Grain, fertiliser, and produce
Sea Freight FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a container to Durban?
A 20ft container from China costs approximately R25,000-R45,000 for freight alone. Total landed cost including duty, VAT, and port charges varies by product type.
What is demurrage?
Demurrage is the charge for keeping a container at port beyond the free period (usually 7-14 days). Fast customs clearance minimises demurrage — this is where having a Durban-based clearing agent matters.
Can you track my sea freight shipment?
Yes. Once booked, we provide vessel details and tracking information. You'll receive updates at key milestones.
Get a Sea Freight Quote
Request a Quote → | Call: 076 982 0036