Weekly container volumes are up by 3%; air cargo is up by 13%
We are sharing the latest version of the cargo report
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
1. Consolidated TNPA cargoes for May show growth in bulk, containers still lagging.
a. Bulk cargoes through South Africa’s ports are up by 6,4% YTD, invoking some optimism.
b. Unfortunately, containers during the same period (January to May) are down by 4,1%, as despite some encouraging signs in the container sector — including the arrival of new equipment, better stack fluidity at key terminals, and early indications of industry collaboration — we remain well short of a full recovery.
2. Transnet Wage Agreement with recognised Unions
a. Transnet has concluded a three-year wage agreement with UNTU and SATAWU, providing for annual increases of 6% from 2025/26 to 2027/28 (cumulative 18%), and including enhancements to benefits such as pension contributions, medical aid subsidies, and housing allowances.
b. The agreement, facilitated by the CCMA, ensures labour stability and medium-term operational certainty, thereby supporting Transnet’s focus on recovery, performance, and long-term strategy, and crucially, averting the risk of strike-related disruptions to the logistics system.
3. Continued growth in the South African air cargo industry:
a. In May, international air cargo volumes increased month-on-month at Johannesburg (7%), and decreased at Cape Town (-3%) and Durban (-7% ). Year-on-year, cargo is up at all terminals (Johannesburg at 6%, Cape Town 12%, and Durban at 25%) compared to 2024.
b. Moreover, the year-to-date cargo is now 5% above the same period last year, which points to continued growth for the air cargo sector.
