Welcome to another Logistics News Update.
2026 Public Holidays & Festival in China
- Chinese New Year: Feb 15th to Feb 23rd
- Qingming Festival: Apr 04th to Apr 06th
- Labor Day: May 01st to May 05th
- Dragon Boat Festival: Jun 19th to Jun 21st
- Mid-Autumn Festival : Sep 25th to Sep 27th
- National Day: Oct 01st to Oct 07th
Logistics & Trade Headlines
- Maersk moots job cuts as ocean earnings decline: Maersk flagged a possible reduction of about 1 000 jobs after ocean earnings dropped sharply in Q4 of 2025. The carrier still reported solid EBITDA but is streamlining to reduce costs.
- KSIA to get major revamp: King Shaka International Airport is set for a R21.7 billion upgrade as part of Airports Company South Africa’s investment plan across the network. Construction is expected to start this quarter.
- US Senate passes one-year AGOA extension: The US Senate approved a one-year renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, restoring duty-free access for South African exports to the US market, subject to final approval.
- Mining sector remains lassoed by logistics: The Minerals Council says logistics challenges persist across the mining sector with rail performance still under pressure and ports under sustained strain, despite some improvement.
- SA diesel more expensive than global average: South African diesel remains about 13 percent pricier than the world average even after recent price drops, affecting transport costs for road freight operators.
- Mining sector remains lassoed by logistics – Minerals Council: South Africa’s mining industry cited logistics bottlenecks as a key constraint, especially in rail and port operations as stakeholders push for infrastructure investment.
- Arms trade shipment delays ‘not because of us’ – TNPA: Transnet National Ports Authority responded to reported delays in arms trade shipments, asserting that the issues were not caused by the port authority.
- JCtrans Africa Regional Conference 2026 set for March: The annual event will be held in Casablanca. It positions Morocco as a gateway for logistics expansion into Africa and global markets today’s press highlights strong interest in strategic hubs for continental trade.
- Global leaders push supply chain digitalisation: At the World Governments Summit in Dubai, industry figures stressed aligned regulations and digital transformation to improve global trade and logistics efficiency.
- China expanding port infrastructure in East Africa: Reports show at least 17 new Chinese-linked port projects from Kenya to Djibouti, underscoring China’s deepening footprint in African logistics corridors.
- South Africa advances China duty-free export pact: South Africa signed a framework trade agreement with China to unlock duty-free access for local exports, particularly minerals and agriculture. This could shift export patterns and support exporters facing limited market access elsewhere.
- SA Trade Minister in China on market access mission: Parks Tau is engaging Chinese counterparts to secure broader duty-free export conditions for South African goods amid strained US relations.
- US extends AGOA for one year with fragile outlook: Washington signed an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Analysts say this offers short-term stability but is not a long-term solution for exporters who continue to diversify markets.
- SA–China deal part of broader trade shift: In response to high US tariffs, South Africa is pursuing deeper engagement with China, with duties on many goods expected to be lifted. This will include sectors like mining and agriculture and last into March 2026 negotiations.
- Geopolitical and policy shifts remain front of mind: Ongoing trade tensions and tariff changes continue to shape freight demand, route planning, and trade strategies for global supply chains.
NEWS
Citrus growers call for trade deal with US
6 Feb 2026 – By Lyse Comins
The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has welcomed the recent extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the US Senate through the end of 2026. The extension provides some continuity for duty-free trade, but CGA says it does not change the current tariff conditions for South African citrus exports to the United States. In the association’s view, the extension has little practical impact because existing tariffs still apply.
The CGA noted that in late 2025 the United States granted an exemption from the 30 per cent tariff on oranges, which offered welcome relief to orange growers in export regions like the Western and Northern Cape. However, this exemption did not extend to other key citrus varieties, especially mandarins, which remain subject to the higher tariff. The association warned that such tariffs could lead to higher prices and shortages in the US market for mandarins once the South African export season begins around April.
CGA chief executive Boitshoko Ntshabele emphasised that South Africa’s citrus exports do not threaten US growers because South African fruit enters the market counter-seasonally. This means it fills gaps when local production in the US is out of season, supporting year-round availability for consumers. Despite this complementary supply pattern, the tariffs on mandarin’s risk disrupting supply and creating inflationary pressure in the US market.
The association pointed out how deeply some communities depend on unimpeded access to the US citrus market, especially towns like Citrusdal. CGA chairperson Gerrit van der Merwe said that while the AGOA extension adds predictability, the broader tariff regime remains uncertain for growers. For that reason, the CGA is calling for a dedicated trade agreement between South Africa and the United States that would secure stable market access and reduce tariff uncertainty for the citrus sector.
Port Operations Summary: – Port Update:
Durban 1 days
Cape Town 5 Days
Port Elizabeth 13 days
Coega 5 Days Source: GoComet
Key Highlights from Last Week’s Discussions – 1st February 2026
Source: BUSA, SAAFF, and global logistics data
Port Operations
Port throughput eased week on week, mainly due to wind disruption in Cape Town, while Durban remained broadly stable.
• Total SA port volumes dipped 6 percent, but daily throughput stayed above forecast.
• Cape Town lost around 24 hours to wind delays, with short term congestion expected to clear.
• Durban Pier 1 saw lighter volumes and better truck turnaround times.
• Durban Gateway Terminal delivered strong waterside performance, although landside times increased.
Takeaway: Volumes softened slightly but operations remain resilient. Cape Town weather continues to be the key operational risk, while Durban is showing improving consistency.
Air Cargo
Airfreight activity slowed modestly overall, with softer imports and stronger exports.
• Total international volumes declined slightly week on week.
• Inbound cargo eased, while outbound demand improved.
• January volumes remain above last year, although still below pre pandemic levels.
Takeaway: Air cargo remains structurally resilient. Export flows are providing support despite a slower start on imports.
Road and Border Crossings
Border congestion increased sharply, driving longer delays and higher costs.
• Lebombo volumes rose, with queue and processing times more than doubling.
• Average crossing times increased across both SA and SADC corridors.
• The estimated economic cost of border delays rose significantly week on week.
Takeaway: Border inefficiencies are again becoming a major risk to cost and reliability for regional supply chains.
Ocean Freight and Global Shipping
Freight markets continued to soften as weak demand and excess capacity dominate.
• Container freight rates declined further week on week.
• Global schedule reliability remains under pressure due to weather related congestion.
• Several major carriers are reporting or expecting financial losses.
Takeaway: Freight markets remain firmly in a down cycle. Volatility is expected to continue into early 2026.
Global Freight Rates
Weekly Container Rate Update – 29 January 2026
Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 7% to $1,959 per 40ft container this week.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is based on reliable sources and has been carefully verified. This Logistics News is distributed free of charge. If you wish to unsubscribe from our mailing list, please reply to this email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line. Please note that all content is adapted or directly quoted from its original sources. We take no responsibility for any inaccurate reporting; we are only adapting the news for you.
This week’s news was brought to you by:
FNB First Trade 360 – a digital logistics platform and Exporters Western Cape
“This information contained herein is being made available for indicative purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive as the information may have been obtained from publicly available sources that have not been verified by FirstRand Bank Limited (“FRB”) or any other person. No representation or warranty, express, implied or by omission, is or will be given by FRB, its affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisers, representatives or any other person as to the adequacy, reasonableness, accuracy or completeness of this information. No responsibility or liability is accepted for the accuracy or sufficiency thereof, or for any errors, omissions or misstatements, negligent or otherwise, relating thereto. In particular, but without limitation, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on, any projections, targets, estimates or forecasts and nothing contained herein should be, relied on as a promise or representation as to the past or future. FRB does not undertake any obligation to provide any additional information or to update the information contained herein or to correct any inaccuracies that may become apparent. The receipt of this information by any person is not to be taken as constituting the giving of any advice by FRB to any such person, nor to constitute such person a client of FRB.”
