South Africa’s logistics sector has reached an important marker, says Dr. Jacob van Rensburg, Head of Research & Development at the Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders NPC (SAAFF). In its landmark 250th edition, the SAAFF BUSA Cargo Movement Report released today, industry highlights the power of continuous measurement and tracking progress – adding impetus to the public-private collaborative improvement programme in South Africa’s logistics sector.
This edition looks at Transnet’s 2025 year-end financial results from a volume point of view, as were released last Friday.
For the first time in years, throughput performance across all major sectors showed improvement, reflecting progress in stabilising operations. Evidence suggests the downward spiral has been arrested.
Headline volumes:
- Rail: 160,1 Mt,
- Port Containers: 4,09 million TEUs
- Pipeline: 13,37 bn litres
- Auto: 803 908 units
While these outcomes are commendable, explains Dr. van Rensburg, the figures also indicate that Transnet fell short of most of its main targets for the period, underscoring the significant distance still to travel in rebuilding network reliability and efficiency over the medium to longer term.
On the financial side, losses narrowed by ↓74% to R1,9 billion – a welcome improvement. However, high debt levels, irregular expenditure, and ongoing legal disputes remain causes for concern.
Of significant reassurance to industry stakeholders is the marked increase in capital expenditure, up by↑44,2% to R24,0 billion, particularly the investment in container handling equipment and infrastructure. This commitment is a vital step forward toward restoring confidence and competitiveness in South Africa’s ports.
It is important to note that these results reflect the position as at 31 March 2025. Since then, further operational improvements - especially in the container sector - have been recorded - building momentum for what is expected to be a significantly stronger FY2026.
Dr. van Rensburg emphasises “Global volatility underlines the need for South Africa to keep focus on domestic issues. The international trading environment remains highly uncertain, with US tariff disputes, shifting shipping geo-political alliances and trade routes are but some of a plethora of external operational risks. Unpredictable, unavoidable volatility reinforces the imperative of strengthening SA’s logistics network and getting our own house in order.”
Recent CTS data show South Africa clawing back lost ground in Sub-Saharan Africa trade flows, with July volumes up by a significant 30% year-on-year. Despite persistent challenges – including adverse weather, equipment breakdowns and congestion, throughput has continued to set new performance records in recent weeks. This week Transnet reported a total of 103 086.
Air cargo resilience continues to show with elevated throughput at ORTIA
In addition to the improved throughput performance in the container industry, air cargo has been a consistent bright spot, with volumes at ORTIA trending above last year’s levels and event surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks, underscoring a sustained rebound in this critical sector, reflecting market trends and robust demand patterns.
This resilience is especially notable given the uncertainty surrounding Foreign Operating Permits (FOP), which continue to weigh on the industry. Operationally, however, frustration is mounting as unresolved issues with ACSA – from warehouse leases to the cargo precinct upgrade and the long-awaited midfield terminal remain unaddressed, impacting negatively on commerce and industry, leaving stakeholders feeling overlooked and ultimately restricting economic growth.
Public–private collaboration as the catalyst:
Continuous measurement and transparency through the SAAFF BUSA Cargo Movement Report have become a lever for accountability, reinforcing the necessity of industry-government collaboration as the cornerstone for recovery.
Dr. Juanita Maree, SAAFF’s Chief Executive Officer added that “Beyond the symbolism of the number - Issue #250 of the BUSA | SAAFF Cargo Report - lies a deeper message, and that is that - continuous measurement, constructive dialogue, implementable solutions and accountability do indeed matter. In an industry that has weathered sharp decline, prolonged inefficiencies and mounting frustration from exporters, importers and investors, the ability to chart progress over time is becoming a lever for progress and reform.
“The Cargo Movement Report has evolved into more than a set of statistics – it has become a scorecard for accountability and a mirror reflecting both failure and recovery in this heroic collaborative, cross-sector turnaround strategy against the odds, in an environment of marked global volatility, tariff and geo-political wars across the world re-shaping shipping lanes, driving up costs and transit times, to name but a few of the perils.
“But let it be clear; stabilisation is not victory. Rather is the starting line. The 250th Cargo Movement Report is both a milestone and a warning that Public -Private collaboration is not optional, it is a necessity, it is where capital, skills, best-practice are woven together in a shared logistics network that will support trade, growth and sustainable job creation.”
