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Port of Cape Town

ZACPT🇿🇦ZA

Port Location

About Port of Cape Town

The Port of Cape Town (ZACPT) is a maritime port facility located in ZA. It features a maximum draft of 13.01m. Local time zone: UTC+2.

Vessel capacity and restrictions: The controlling depth at Cape Town is 13.01 meters. Vessel masters should confirm current draft restrictions with the port authority before arrival.

Position: -33.9095°S, 18.4356°E. UN/LOCODE: ZACPT.

Geographic context: The Port of Cape Town is situated on the South Atlantic Ocean, within the Cape of Good Hope route — the historic shipping route around the southern tip of Africa. The location falls within the subtropical climate zone with mild winters and warm summers.

Vessel Limits

Max Draft
13.01m

General Information

Port Name
Cape Town
Country
🇿🇦ZA
UNLOCODE
ZACPT
Time Zone
UTC+2
Latitude
-33.9095°
Longitude
18.4356°

Navigation Aids Near Cape Town

Cape Town Entrance (Duncan Dock) Range Front Lighthouse

Range: 13 NM

0.4 NMSSW

Kalk Bay Breakwater Lighthouse

16.7 NMS

Gordan's Bay Harbour West Breakwater Lighthouse

25.9 NMSE

Gordan's Bay Harbour East Breakwater Lighthouse

26 NMSE

Cape Town Entrance (Duncan Dock) Range Rear Lighthouse

Range: 26 NM

33.5 NMNNW

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the draft restrictions at the Port of Cape Town?+
The controlling depth at Cape Town is 13.01 meters. Draft restrictions should be confirmed with the port authority before arrival, as silting, dredging operations, and tidal conditions can affect available depths. Pilotage is typically required for larger vessels.
How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Cape Town?+
The approach to Cape Town is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Cape Town Entrance (Duncan Dock) Range Front Lighthouse at 0.4 NM to the SSW with a nominal range of 13 NM. Other aids include Kalk Bay Breakwater (16.7 NM S), Gordan's Bay Harbour West Breakwater (25.9 NM SE), Gordan's Bay Harbour East Breakwater (26 NM SE), Cape Town Entrance (Duncan Dock) Range Rear (33.5 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Cape Town?+
The Port of Cape Town is located within the Cape of Good Hope route — the historic shipping route around the southern tip of Africa. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Cape Town?+
You can track vessels near Cape Town (ZACPT) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for ZACPT on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Cape Town?+
The Port of Cape Town operates in the UTC+2 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.