Early signs of improvements in SA logistics networks

Are the South African ports and freight networks turning around? 

With the load-shedding crisis appearing to be behind us, the South African business fraternity has turned its attention to the state of ports and rail infrastructure – an area of the economy which has been identified as a key inhibitor of economic growth and trade in the country. 

According to industry research, South Africa is losing up to R1bn per day as a result of inefficient infrastructure and port congestion. 

Recently, we have seen signs of improvement. 

The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) recently shared the below graphic in conjunction with Business Unity South Africa (BUSA). This is the first time that all indicators are in the green: 

This follows the recent full year financial results announcement from Transnet which indicated that losses were narrowing while revenue was up. New capital expenditure had resulted in better relationships with the private sector. 

In presenting the financial results, Transnet Group CEO Michelle Phillips pointed to positive feedback from Toyota South Africa CEO Andrew Kirby who indicated that in 2023 it could take up to 3 weeks for parts to be offloaded – this had been reduced to around 2 days. 

This kind of affirmation from the private sector will be well received by other operators looking to squeeze efficiencies from their logistics networks and supply chains. A third valuable data point from Transnet was the announcement that South African container ports recorded their highest daily volume since the pandemic in August 2025 – moving 18,689 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

The logistics crisis and the BLSA tracker

For trade partners wishing to understand the state of economic reforms in South Africa – of which logistics is a key component – it is worth following the Business Leadership South Africa Reform Tracker developed in conjunction with Krutham.

The below provides a snapshot of the trackers by pillar to the end of August 2025. 

You can read the full report online here. 

Under phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela a couple of key transport and logistics sector priorities have been identified including:

• Finalising Transnet restructuring by establishing anindependent Infrastructure Manager and completing TNPA corporatisation.
• Enabling open access to freight rail through finalised pricing models and network optimisation.
• Expanding private sector participation in ports and rail beyond Durban.
• Establishing the Transport Economic Regulator to end Transnet’s control over tariffs.
• Finalising the National Rail Bill for a competitive rail sector framework.
• Restoring passenger rail services through corridor reopening and Prasa’s rolling stock upgrades.

Brighter days ahead for South African supply chains: 

While much of the focus has been on the enhancement of South African energy infrastructure, it is clear that we are seeing marginal gains in the fields of logistics, ports and rail infrastructure. 

These marginal gains have the potential to significantly improve supply-chain efficiencies and with South Africa seeing a rebound in key industries including mining and agriculture, this could provide a welcome boost to the local economy.