South Africa · Africa · World ports
Richards Bay
UN/LOCODE ZARCB · Scale rank #239 worldwide
- Harbour size
- Medium
- Harbour type
- coastal (breakwater)
- Cargo pier depth
- 19.0 m
- Largest vessel
- 300.0 m
Overview
Richards Bay is a medium seaport in South Africa – harbour type: coastal (breakwater). Cargo pier depth up to 19.0 m; channel depth 18.9 m. Largest vessels accepted: length 300.0 m, beam 50.0 m, draft 17.5 m. Water body: Indian Ocean.
- Country
- South Africa
- Water body
- Indian Ocean
- UN/LOCODE
ZARCB- WPI number
- 46855
- Coordinates
- -28.8100, 32.0983
- Harbour size
- Medium
- Harbour type
- coastal (breakwater)
- Shelter
- Fair
Location
Infrastructure & depths
Berths & cargo facilities
- ✓ Wharves
- ✓ Container terminal
- ✓ Liquid bulk
- ✓ Breakbulk
- ✓ Oil terminal
Cranes & lifts
- ✓ Fixed cranes
- ✓ Mobile cranes
- ✓ Lifts 50–100 t
- ✓ Lifts 0–24 t
- Repairs
- Limited
Services & access
Pilotage, tugs & traffic
- ✓ Pilotage compulsory
- ✓ Pilotage available
- ✓ Tug assistance
- ✓ First port of entry
Services & supplies
- ✓ Longshoremen
- ✓ Medical facilities
- ✓ Garbage disposal
- ✓ Dirty ballast disposal
- ✓ Provisions
- ✓ Potable water
- ✓ Fuel oil
- ✓ Diesel oil
- ✓ Airport nearby
Entrance restrictions
- ✓ Tide: no
- ✓ Heavy swell: no
- ✓ Ice: no
- ! Other: yes
- ! Overhead limits: yes
✓ available · ✗ not available; items without data are hidden (World Port Index).
Vessel schedules
No liner service calling at Richards Bay in the schedule data yet.
Schedules & tracking of major carriers:
Trade with Vietnam
Vietnam has no FTA with South Africa: MFN rates apply (if a WTO member).
South Africa market profile →International shippingSteel & steel structure manufacturing
Nearby ports
MZSources: World Port Index (NGA Pub. 150) – retrieved 2026-10-14; TEU: Lloyd’s List One Hundred Ports. For reference – confirm with the port or agent before operations. · Sailing Directions Pub. 171 (Enroute) - East Africa and the South Indian Ocean ↗