Logistics News Update – 26th November 2025

Welcome to another Logistics News Update. 

This week brought a mix of progress and renewed pressure across the logistics network. Cape Town experienced another spell of strong winds, which slowed vessel movements and cargo handling. Industry reported that exporters faced fresh delays as harbour winds disrupted loading at key terminals (reports of 110 kmph). Cape Town port was closed from the 18^th until earlier this week, the 24^th November 2025. This has added some rollover risk as we move deeper into peak season. Other ports reported more stable operating conditions with fewer weather-related disruptions. Their consistency is helping carry much of the export flow while Cape Town works through its backlog. Exporters moving through Durban and P.E. should continue to see steadier turnaround times.

Global shipping stayed volatile. The global container index held flat, but the underlying trades moved in opposite directions. Trans-Pacific rates softened again, while Asia-Europe strengthened for the sixth straight week. Carriers are already pushing higher FAK levels into December, which means rate swings will continue.

The message for the week is clear. Keep visibility tight from pickup to port, move early and monitor weather and capacity risks closely. Conditions are shifting quickly, and strong planning remains the best way to protect costs and maintain a stable flow.

Trade

•  Exporters gain from citrus momentum: South Africa’s citrus sector continues to perform strongly. This season delivered a record harvest with more than 203 million cartons exported and year-on-year volumes up sharply. Industry updates confirm that improved port handling and better coordination across the chain supported this increase. The stronger flow through the key container terminals signals real improvement in logistics efficiency.
• Rail-corridor bottlenecks shift but risk remains: The freight-rail reform process is beginning to show progress. Private operators have been allocated access on 41 routes across six corridors, opening capacity that was previously limited to Transnet alone. Even with these steps forward, exporters should remain cautious. Equipment shortages, scheduling gaps and infrastructure challenges continue to make rail unpredictable for time-sensitive inland-to-port movements.
• Port-efficiency improvements supporting export flow: Operational data shows declining vessel waits at Durban and Cape Town and better crane performance across the coastal ports. Throughput is improving and equipment upgrades across the terminals are beginning to make an impact. This helped support stronger citrus, grape and general perishable flows as peak season ramps up. Exporters are seeing more stable schedules and greater confidence in maintaining market windows.
• Road logistics still under pressure: Road freight remains one of the more constrained parts of the supply chain. Congestion, infrastructure issues and rising operating costs continue to affect timing on major inland routes. While rail and port performance are improving, road networks remain a key risk for importers and exporters. Extra planning time and closer route monitoring are still essential.
• Infrastructure reform signals longer-term trade opportunity: South Africa’s logistics sector is undergoing structural change. Rail reform and new port investment commitments point to a more competitive and flexible network in the years ahead. Exporters should position early for this shift by strengthening multimodal options and building relationships that support both rail and road corridors. Those who prepare now will benefit most as reforms start to deliver.

 What is the news

• South African exporters welcomed further progress at the ports this week. Operational data from Durban and Cape Town shows shorter vessel waits and better crane performance. Weather delays were also lower. These gains are helping exporters with time-sensitive cargo move goods with more confidence as peak season continues.
• Rail performance is slowly improving. Transnet’s rehabilitation work is showing early results with more stable volumes on key corridors. Private sector interest in operating rail slots remains strong, which signals the start of a more mixed-operator system. It is still not consistent, which means exporters need to monitor their inland legs closely.
• Cold chain exporters are heading into summer with better flow than last year. Citrus, grape and stone fruit producers report smoother movement through Cape Town and Ngqura with fewer equipment-related stoppages. It is not perfect but it is a clear improvement from the last season. Volumes will climb now, so close monitoring remains important.
• Fuel prices held steady after the early November cuts. This stability has given road freight operators some predictability on operating costs, which supports both import and export planning. At the same time, global shipping remains volatile. Spot rates softened again on several East to West trades, which suggests that carriers will continue trimming or adding capacity with little warning.
• There are also some pressure points to watch. A Foot and Mouth Disease control zone remains active near Gouda, which keeps livestock movement restricted. Macadamia growers face rising competition from China’s expanding production, which could affect their pricing in the next cycle. The skills gap in forwarding and customs has been highlighted again and remains a long-term risk for the sector as digital requirements increase. Source: FreightNews & SA News

Let’s Learn: Understanding Tariff Exemptions and How They Affect Your Export Pricing

Tariffs are one of the biggest factors that shape how competitive your product is in a foreign market. When a country grants a tariff exemption, it reduces or removes the import duty for specific products. This can make a major difference to landed cost and directly affects how attractive your goods are compared to competitors. South African exporters saw this recently with the US tariff exemption on oranges.

Why Tariff Exemptions Matter
Tariffs add to the final price the buyer pays. When an exemption is granted, your product lands cheaper, which boosts demand and opens the door for higher volumes. When you are excluded from an exemption, your product becomes more expensive than your competitors’, even if the quality is the same. This is why industries such as citrus and table grapes monitor tariff decisions very closely.

What Triggers an Exemption
• Trade negotiations between governments
• Market shortages that encourage a country to widen its supply
• Lobbying from industry bodies
• Seasonal gaps where a country wants more products at certain times of the year

How It Affects Exporters
When your industry is included, you gain a pricing advantage. When excluded, you need to work harder on timing, quality and logistics to hold your position. Buyers often switch quickly to lower duty origins because it protects their margins.

What You Can Do
• Stay close to your industry body for updates
• Watch announcements from your main destination markets
• Plan shipments early in the season when competition is lower
• Keep tight control of your logistics, so you protect lead times and avoid added costs

Key Point
Tariff decisions can shift competitiveness overnight. Understanding how they work helps you plan better, price correctly and stay ahead of your competitors.

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NEWS

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Key Highlights from Last Week’s Discussions – 16^th November 2025

Source: BUSA, SAAFF, and global logistics data

1. Port Operations

South African ports handled 73 057 TEUs, down 6% from the previous week. The daily average dropped to 10 437 TEUs compared to 11 150 TEUs last week.

Breakdown

• Durban Pier 2: 31 588 TEUs (↓9%)
• Durban Pier 1: 14 068 TEUs (↓6%)
• Cape Town: 7 791 TEUs (↓16%) with over 20 operational hours lost to weather
• Ngqura: 14 578 TEUs (↑4%)
• Port Elizabeth: 311 TEUs (↑29%)
• Durban rail uplift: 3 464 containers (↓3%)

Main issues

• Severe weather delays in Cape Town and throughout the coastal ports
• Equipment constraints across Durban, Richards Bay and Eastern Cape
• Pier 1 and Pier 2 still operating with reduced crane availability
• Eastern Cape ports saw vacant berths at times due to wind and equipment challenges

Summary
A softer week with weather again the main disruptor. Durban remained relatively stable but still hampered by equipment shortages and slow rail recovery. Cape Town continues to face the strongest weather-related impact.

2. Air Cargo

Airfreight volumes fell back after previous highs.

Weekly totals

• Inbound: 4 907 728 kg (↓14%)
• Outbound: 2 789 228 kg (↓15%)
• Total: 7 696 956 kg (↓15%)

Even with the weekly drop, volumes remain 11% above last year and 10% above 2019 levels.

ORTIA is experiencing repeated infrastructure failures ahead of the G20, including:

• Power and water outages
• Baggage system failures
• Delayed fuelling

This is affecting operational reliability.

3. Road and Border Crossings

Regional borders tightened again.

Lebombo

• Traffic: 1,451 trucks/day (↑9%)
• Queue time: 6.1 hours
• Processing time: 6.1 hours

South African borders overall

• Median crossing time: 12.7 hours (↑12%)

SADC region

• Median time: 5.7 hours (↑10%)

Hotspots

• Beitbridge: Congestion from full scanning and ZIMRA inspections
• Ramatlhabama: Congestion due to capacity issues at Groblersbrug
• Skilpadshek: Slow EDI responses causing further delay
• DRC: Mining suspension after dam burst adding further routing delays

The estimated indirect cost of delays

• ~$29.5 million (about R507 million) for the week

4. Ocean Freight and Global Shipping

• Drewry WCI dropped 5.1% to $1 859/FEU, ending a four-week rise
• Spot rates to the US dropped sharply
• Asia-Europe routes stayed firm due to congestion
• MSC fleet now at 7 million TEU, about 21% of global capacity
• Global container throughput down 5.6% m/m, up 5% y/y
• Port congestion remains moderate but pressure points remain in Shanghai/Ningbo and parts of Europe

Summary
Rates softened again, although the easing is uneven. Congestion and capacity control remain the main stabilisers.

5. Global Air Cargo

• Global tonnage: ↓3% w/w
• Global rates: ↑1% to $2.78/kg
• Rates still 5% below last year but trending upward
• Asia Pacific and the Americas remain the strongest performers
• EU confirmed the end of the €150 de minimis threshold from 2028 which will reshape e-commerce flows

Port Operations Summary: – Port Update:

Global Freight Rates

Weekly Container Rate Update – 20 November 2025

Global Freight Rates Hold Steady
Drewry’s World Container Index stayed unchanged this week at 1,852 dollars per 40ft container. The stability comes from two opposing movements in the market. Trans-Pacific rates softened again while Asia–Europe rates continued to climb. The two shifts balanced each other which kept the global index flat.

Trans-Pacific Rates Decline for a Second Week
Spot rates from Shanghai to New York dropped 10 percent to 2 922 dollars. Rates to Los Angeles fell 7 percent to 2,172 dollars. Capacity on the trade is rising as blank sailings ease which means more space on vessels going into next week. Drewry expects a further slight softening on this corridor as demand remains weaker after the US peak season.

Asia–Europe Rates Continue Their Upward Run
Asia–Europe pricing recorded a sixth straight weekly increase. Rates from Shanghai to Genoa rose 6 percent to 2,319 dollars and Shanghai to Rotterdam increased 8 percent to 2,193 dollars. Carriers are pushing for higher FAK levels between 3,100 and 4 000 dollars per 40ft from 1 December. This is aimed at lifting spot rates before annual contract negotiations begin.

Carrier Strategy Still Focused on Rate Support
The higher FAK proposals show that carriers are trying to firm up the market before the contract cycle starts. Structural overcapacity remains a challenge but the Asia–Europe Lane is showing more stability than the trans-Pacific. Capacity management will stay central to how rates move over the next few weeks.

Key Takeaway
Global rates may look stable on paper but the underlying picture is split. Trans-Pacific prices are easing while Asia–Europe is gaining momentum. Importers and exporters should expect short-term swings as carriers adjust capacity and push seasonal FAK increases. Planning shipments with clear rate validity remains important as we head into December. Source: Drewrey

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This week’s news was brought to you by:

FNB First Trade 360 – a digital logistics platform and Exporters Western Cape

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