EAST LONDON- Transnet National Ports Authority(TNPA) on 25th April 2025 witnessed an iconic moment with the first simultaneous berthing of two pure car carriers at the newly upgraded automotive berth at the Port of East London.
This operational milestone showcases the port’s recent milestone celebration of upgrading its automotive berth to allow for the simultaneous berthing of two new generation pure car carrier vessels greater than 200m along the west quay.
In a statement issued by TNPA, “These are currently the largest pure car carriers in the world fleet. The upgrade has doubled the automotive berth’s design capacity to handle 790 000 units per year. The two vessels, MV Silver Sun – approximately 182.71m long – and MV Martorell Ace – 199,54m – docked along the West Quay, which now has a depth of -10.7m (CD) and a total length of 550m. The seamless berthing of these two car carriers reinforces the Port of East London’s status as a crucial hub for the automotive industry.”As part of an ongoing turn-around plan, the Port of East London continues to collaborate with terminal operators and customers to ensure the provision of fit-for-purpose port infrastructure.”
“This operational highlight demonstrates TNPA’s commitment to enabling automotive volume recovery and improving operational efficiency,” The statement further emphasized.
Photograph: TNPA
