In 1906 the combined exports had risen to 362 bales, including a little from German East Africa.
In the town are the head offices of the Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Gesellschaft, the largest trading company in German East Africa.
In 1887 Dr Carl Peters occupied the bay in the name of the German East Africa Company.
The trade returns are included in those of German East Africa.
Durban (Port Natal) is in regular communication with Europe via Cape Town and via Suez by several lines of steamers, the chief being the boats of the Union-Castle line, which sail from Southampton and follow the west coast route, those of the German East Africa line, which sail from Hamburg and go via the east coast route and those of the Austrian Lloyd from Trieste, also by the east coast route.
