ZAELS Port Code Lookup

Port Code Lookup

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Total 1 ports of ZAELS

ZAELS East London Port
East London Port is the seaport of East london, in the city of East londonin South africa. Overseas routes include Africa, Port code is ZAELS.

Show details

Port Code

ZAELS

Name

East London

Country / Region

South africa

City

East london

Sea Routes

Africa

Type

Latitude

-33.0260000

Longitude

27.9060950

Est. Unit Price

$0/m³ Book Now

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Port Overview

East London (UN/LOCODE: ZAELS) is a medium-sized river port in South Africa, located at the mouth of the Buffalo River on the country’s southeast coast between Gqeberha and Durban. Its position gives our service team a practical option for cargo connected with the Eastern Cape, particularly automotive and industrial supply chains. The port handles multiple cargo types through 13 berths and also has drydock capability for ship-bottom repairs. The supplied port record states annual handling of approximately 2.3 million tonnes and 67,700 TEU, with about 430 vessel calls. Vessel acceptance is subject to current berth, channel, draft and cargo restrictions; the maximum figures in the reference record are not guaranteed operating limits.

Port code	ZAELS	Country	South Africa
Location	East London, Eastern Cape	Coordinates	27.906095° E, 33.026000° S
Port type	River-mouth commercial seaport	Reference vessel limits	233 m length, 10.4 m draft, 63,566 t DWT

Key Highlights

River-mouth location: berth and channel conditions should be confirmed before accepting large or deep-draft cargo programs.
Multi-cargo profile covering containerized, vehicle, breakbulk, dry bulk, liquid and project-related movements.
Strong relevance to Eastern Cape automotive manufacturing, components, machinery and industrial distribution.
Vehicle and component flows require careful attention to unit identification, damage reporting, securing and release procedures.
For cargo without a suitable sailing or equipment match, our service team can compare East London with alternative South African gateway options before booking.

Facilities & Services

Berthing: The supplied port record identifies 13 berths serving different cargo categories. Exact berth assignment, operational windows and vessel restrictions must be confirmed for each booking.
Container handling: Containerized export and import cargo can be planned through the applicable terminal process, subject to equipment availability, shipping-line acceptance and confirmed cut-offs.
Vehicles and breakbulk: Vehicles, vehicle components, machinery, timber and other non-containerized cargo require cargo-specific loading, lashing, inspection and tally arrangements.
Dry and liquid cargo: The port reference lists petroleum products, maize, chemicals and scrap metal among its cargo mix. Packaging, tank, bulk and dangerous-goods requirements must be reviewed before quotation.
Repair capability: A drydock is identified in the supplied record for ship-bottom repair; this should not be treated as a cargo-handling service or as evidence of availability for a particular vessel.
Inland connections: Our team can coordinate road or rail-related planning where available, but the final mode depends on cargo dimensions, delivery location, equipment supply, permits and terminal release conditions.

Routes & Transit Times

Typical planning may involve South Africa–Asia, Europe, Middle East, regional African and domestic coastal trade flows, normally subject to the carrier’s current network and transshipment design.
Container cargo may require a connection through another South African or overseas hub; direct-port availability, equipment type and sailing frequency must be checked at quotation stage.
Non-containerized vehicles, machinery and project cargo often require separate vessel planning, pre-approval, stowage review and port handling confirmation.
Transit time is affected by transshipment, weather, river-mouth access, berth congestion, equipment availability, customs inspection, documentation accuracy and inland delivery distance. Our service team provides an indicative schedule only after checking a live sailing and terminal cut-off.

Hinterland & Key Cargo

Eastern Cape industrial base: The port is particularly relevant to automotive assembly, component manufacturing, machinery supply and related industrial distribution in and around East London.
Import cargo: Commonly associated cargo includes vehicles, vehicle components, petroleum products, maize, machinery, chemicals and hardwood.
Export cargo: The supplied port record identifies vehicles, scrap metal, maize, confectionery, prepared pineapple products, timber and chemicals.
Inland planning: Delivery to factories, distribution centers, farms or project sites should be assessed by final address rather than city name alone, with attention to road access, axle limits, escort needs and special equipment.

Operations & Compliance

Cut-offs: Shipping-line documentation, VGM, cargo delivery and terminal cut-off times vary by sailing and cargo type. Our service team confirms the operative cut-off in writing rather than relying on a standard estimate.
Dangerous goods: Chemicals, petroleum products, batteries and other regulated cargo require correct UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, SDS and packing certification where applicable. Carrier and terminal approval must be obtained before delivery.
Customs and inspection: Commercial invoices, packing lists, transport documents, permits and origin information should be consistent. Customs or other regulatory inspections can change release timing and may generate handling or storage exposure.
Inland delivery: For vehicles, machinery, oversize units and heavy containers, provide dimensions, gross weight, center of gravity, lifting points and delivery-site restrictions before booking. Route surveys and permits may be required.

Shipping Tips

Send the cargo profile early: commodity, HS classification, packaging, dimensions, gross weight, temperature requirements and dangerous-goods status should be reviewed before rate comparison.
For automotive and vehicle cargo, prepare VIN or unit references, condition records, keys, battery and fuel information, securing instructions and any destination-specific release documents.
Build schedule flexibility into cargo routed through a transshipment hub. Our team can compare available routings, alternative ports and inland options when the first sailing does not meet the delivery requirement.
Use seaworthy export packaging and moisture protection for machinery, timber and metal cargo. Confirm fumigation or phytosanitary requirements for wood packaging before cargo dispatch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is East London suitable for container shipments?
A: It can be considered for containerized cargo when the carrier accepts the commodity, equipment and requested sailing. Our service team checks the live service pattern, terminal cut-off and any transshipment before confirming the booking.

Q: Can the port handle vehicles and machinery?
A: Vehicles and machinery are among the cargo categories associated with ZAELS. Handling method, vessel suitability, securing, dimensions, weight and terminal acceptance must be reviewed individually.

Q: What information is needed for chemicals or petroleum-related cargo?
A: Provide the SDS, UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group, package details, quantity and emergency-contact information. Carrier and terminal approval is required before delivery.

Q: Are the stated 10.4 m draft and 233 m vessel length guaranteed limits?
A: No. They are maximum reference figures in the supplied ZAELS port record. Actual acceptance depends on vessel particulars, tide, channel conditions, berth allocation, cargo, weather and current port instructions.

Q: What should we do if the requested East London sailing is unavailable?
A: Our service team can compare alternative sailings, transshipment combinations and other South African gateways, then assess inland cost, transit risk and cargo-handling compatibility before recommending a routing.

Data Sources & Provenance

The port code, name, country, city, coordinates and reference operating figures in this module are taken from the supplied ZAELS port record. The record states 13 berths, approximately 2.3 million tonnes of annual cargo, 67,700 TEU, approximately 430 vessel calls, 61% cargo vessels, 17% tankers, and reference maximums of 233 m vessel length, 10.4 m draft and 63,566 t DWT. These figures are descriptive reference data, not a booking guarantee.

For current port administration, terminal procedures, vessel acceptance and operational notices, our service team recommends verification with transnet.net. Customs and import/export compliance should be checked with sars.gov.za. Carrier schedules, cut-offs, charges, equipment availability and routing remain subject to the applicable shipping line and terminal confirmation.

Data boundary: dynamic items such as berth windows, sailing frequency, transit time, storage, inspection timing, fees and inland restrictions are intentionally presented as subject to confirmation.