The official opening of United Container Depots’ (UCD) new facility in Salt River, Cape Town, was a truly memorable occasion, complete with a lively jazz band, delicious food, and inspiring speeches that captured the significance of the milestone.
The 63 000 square metre site, leased from Transnet Properties, is less than three kilometres from the Port of Cape Town and marks an essential expansion of UCD’s national footprint and reinforces Cape Town’s role as a global trade gateway.
Phase 1 involved extensive development of 40 000 square metres and is equipped to handle both full and empty containers. It now offers capacity for 5 000 TEUs, with 240 reefer plugs, on-site reefer preparation, and staging areas, ensuring the seamless movement and integrity of South Africa’s critical exports, including citrus and grapes.
With Phase 1 completed, planning is already underway for Phase 2, which will introduce private rail sidings. This rail-linked development will offer exporters a more efficient logistics solution while easing congestion on Cape Town’s port roads.
“Containerised cargo is integral to global trade and integral to Grindrod’s strategy of creating cost-effective and efficient customer solutions. We are not just opening a depot, we are opening opportunities for exporters, for importers, for farmers, for manufacturers, and for communities,” said Xolani Mbambo, CEO of Grindrod Limited.
Dr Ivan Meyer, Provincial Minister of Agriculture and Economic Development and Tourism, highlighted the broader impact on the region: “This is a proud and exciting moment for maritime logistics in the Western Cape. The opening of UCD’s back-of-port facility affirms the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, which aims for breakout economic growth, creating jobs, confidence, hope, and opportunities to thrive.” The minister further emphasised the Western Cape’s ambitions of becoming a regional investment destination, forecasting 220 000 net new jobs by 2035, with 20 000 anticipated within the Port of Cape Town’s container logistics ecosystem, alongside an increase in exports to R450bn.
UCD, with over 40 years of experience, continues to deliver industry-leading container services across its depots in Johannesburg, Durban, and now Cape Town. With a nationwide combined capacity of nearly 13 500 TEUs, UCD provides storage, repairs, reefer services, warehousing, bulk minerals handling, and transport solutions.
This exciting milestone comes on the back of Grindrod being awarded the concession earlier this year to build and operate a new container terminal in Richards Bay.
The event was well-attended by customers, government representatives, Transnet divisions (Engineering, Rail, Terminals, and Properties), as well as colleagues from across Grindrod and UCD. It was a moment of pride for all involved — celebrating not only the growth of UCD but also the opportunities this development unlocks for trade, logistics, and communities across South Africa.
Photo caption
At the official opening of the container depot in Salt River, Cape Town on 15 October 2025
From Left: Ms Noxolo Thabatha, Terminal Manager of the Cape Town Container Terminal, Glen Steyn, Director: Maritime Logistics Development, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Xolani Mbambo, CEO of Grindrod Limited, The Honourable Dr Ivan Meyer, Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Richard de Doncker, Terminal Manager of UCD in Cape Town