CHAMWE KAIRA
Grindrod Limited’s Walvis Bay terminal recorded a 162% increase in drybulk cargo volumes during the first half of 2026, making it the fastest-growing terminal in the group by percentage growth.
According to Grindrod’s unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026, the terminal handled 43 515 tonnes of drybulk cargo, up from 16 604 tonnes in the corresponding period of 2025.
The terminal has a template capacity of 550 000 tonnes, meaning the first-half volumes remained well below its stated capacity.
Grindrod’s overall drybulk operations recorded more modest growth during the period, with volumes increasing 2% to 8.08 million tonnes from 7.93 million tonnes in the first half of 2025.
The Walvis Bay increase contrasted with declines at some of Grindrod’s other terminals.
Maydon Wharf recorded a 46% increase in volumes to 1.32 million tonnes from 901,047 tonnes, while Richards Bay volumes rose 10% to 1.94 million tonnes from 1.77 million tonnes.
At Matola Terminal, volumes declined 7% to 4.19 million tonnes from 4.49 million tonnes, while Maputo Terminal recorded a 22% decrease to 586,701 tonnes from 753,420 tonnes.
Grindrod said its market outlook for the SADC remained one of moderate growth in 2026, with mining, energy investment and agricultural recovery supporting activity in parts of the region.
The group expects Namibia and Botswana to record moderate growth, underpinned by investment in mining and energy.
South Africa’s economy is forecast to grow 1.1% in 2026, according to Grindrod, while Mozambique is expected to grow 0.5%, with its recovery supported by the resumption of liquefied natural gas activity and monetary easing.
Grindrod said Zambia and Zimbabwe remained resilient, supported by mining activity, agricultural recovery and reforms.
The company’s interim results also showed changes in the logistics patterns at its Matola terminal. Average truck deliveries fell 63% to 94 trucks a day in the first half of 2026 from 252 trucks a day in the same period last year.
Rail deliveries into Matola remained unchanged at an average of five trains a day.
The strong increase in Walvis Bay volumes comes as Grindrod continues to position the Namibian port as part of its regional logistics network serving markets in southern Africa.
