Passenger ships and ferries exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $7.2 million of passenger ships and ferries in 2024 (436 tonnes). That is 4% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $37.6 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.2M | 436 t |
| 2023 | $7.0M | 524 t |
| 2022 | $11.8M | 647 t |
| 2021 | $37.6M | 217 t |
| 2020 | $1.8M | 610 t |
| 2019 | $2.7M | 153 t |
| 2018 | $5.2M | 593 t |
| 2017 | $14.0M | 854 t |
Where South Africa exports passenger ships and ferries to
One buyer market dominates: Republic of the Congo accounted for 65% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of the Congo | $4.7M | 65% |
| Mozambique | $836K | 12% |
| Senegal | $789K | 11% |
| Nigeria | $288K | 4% |
| Tanzania | $226K | 3.1% |
| Zambia | $186K | 2.6% |
| Saudi Arabia | $90K | 1.3% |
| Guinea | $61K | 0.8% |
| Namibia | $50K | 0.7% |
| DR Congo | $29K | 0.4% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $16.57 per kg, close to the world average of $16.18.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Passenger ships and ferries imports to South Africa
South Africa imported $1.6 million of passenger ships and ferries in 2024 (0 tonnes). Mozambique alone supplied 80% of it. Among the main suppliers, Mozambique grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $1.3M | 81% |
| United States | $249K | 16% |
| China | $53K | 3.4% |
| Slovakia | $2K | 0.1% |
| Zambia | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa passenger ships and ferries exports (HS 8901.10): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8901.10: Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels, principally designed for the transport of persons, ferry boats of all kinds.
Common questions
What is the value of passenger ships and ferries exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported passenger ships and ferries worth $7.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 436 tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 86 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy passenger ships and ferries from South Africa?
The Republic of the Congo was the largest buyer with 65% of the value ($4.7 million), followed by Mozambique (12%) and Senegal (11%). The top three together account for 87%, out of 15 buyer countries in total. Tanzania grew fastest among the top ten, up 910% on the year.
What is the average export price of passenger ships and ferries per kg?
The average declared export value was about $16.57 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $16.18 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of passenger ships and ferries from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $14.0 million in 2017 to $7.2 million in 2024, a fall of 48%. The peak was 2021 at $37.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $10.9 million a year.
Does South Africa also import passenger ships and ferries?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Mozambique, the United States and China. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $5.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for passenger ships and ferries?
The HS code for passenger ships and ferries is subheading 8901.10. It sits in HS chapter 89 (ships, boats and floating structures). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8901 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World passenger ships and ferries trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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