Welcome to another Logistics News Update.
Logistics & Trade Headlines
- Global container rates continue to fall: Carrier spot rates eased again this week with the World Container Index down for a second week as demand softens after the early January run. Rates from Asia to major trade hubs have dropped significantly.
- Freight market volatility persists ahead of Lunar New Year: The forthcoming Chinese New Year on 17 February is still shaping booking patterns, with many shippers front-loading cargo. However recent rate declines show uncertainty about sustained peak demand.
- Ocean freight rate correction deepens: Spot container rates have weakened this week with double-digit drops reported across key trade lanes following the initial January increase.
- Red Sea return developments evolving: There are clearer signs major carriers are preparing to return container services through the Red Sea and Suez Canal in 2026, though the pace and scale remain uncertain.
- Air cargo pricing continues lower: Global air cargo rates are easing even while volumes rebound from the year-end lull.
- Local South African rate change on export haulage: Maersk has suspended the 40ft Pick Up Charge (PIC) for Johannesburg from 31 January 2026 for both dry and reefer containers.
- Southern African port milestone: The Port of Maputo reported record cargo throughput for 2025, underlining its growing role in regional trade corridors.
NEWS
2026 a pivotal year for South African logistics
Source: FreightNews – Staff Reporter
According to the latest Cargo Movement Update from SAAFF and BUSA, 2026 could be a turning point for logistics in South Africa. Despite past operational setbacks the industry is now drawing renewed investor interest, signalling confidence in reform and performance recovery. Two developments stand out. The public-private partnership at the Port of Durban’s Pier 2 is now in place with a 25-year concession agreement. At the same time the rail sector is moving from planning to action. Private train operating companies have been selected to run services on key corridors later in 2026 and into 2027. This is expected to increase annual rail freight volumes by around 20 million tonnes and support the government’s plan to grow rail’s share of freight by 2029.
The update suggests that improved governance, disciplined execution, and stronger industry collaboration are now critical if logistics performance gains are to be sustained.
Key Highlights from Last Week’s Discussions – 18TH January 2026
Source: BUSA, SAAFF, and global logistics data
Port Operations Summary: – Port Update:
Durban 4 days
Cape Town 9 Days
Port Elizabeth 9 days
Coega 2 Days Source: GoComet
1) Port Operations
Headline takeaway: Volumes rebounded week on week, but weather disruption continues to drive volatility.
• SA ports handled 52,954 TEUs (↑22% WoW)• Average throughput: ~7,565 TEUs/day, above the projected 6,840 TEUs
• Cape Town (CTCT): Strong recovery volumes but over 40 hours lost to wind delays• Equipment availability in Cape Town improved, allowing backlog recovery when weather permitted
• Durban Pier 1: Lower berth occupancy due to vessel knock-on delays, used time for maintenance
• Durban Pier 2: Transition to Durban Gateway Terminal continues, data visibility remains limited
• Rail out of Durban: 3,206 containers (↓9% WoW)
Summary: Throughput improved sharply but weather remains the dominant risk, particularly in Cape Town. Durban operations are stabilising while Pier 2 reform moves forward operationally.
2) Air Cargo
Headline takeaway: Strong post-holiday rebound led by imports.
• Total air cargo: 5,126 tons (↑19% WoW)
• OR Tambo daily averages:
o Inbound: ~455,000 kg/day (↑33%)
o Outbound: ~277,000 kg/day (↑1%)
• International air cargo now ~14% above last year levels and above pre-pandemic January averages
Summary: Airfreight has rebounded faster than expected after a slow start to the year, with import volumes driving the recovery while outbound flows remain steady.
3) Road and Border Crossings
Headline takeaway: Border times improved overall but Lebombo pressure increased slightly.
• Lebombo: ~1,333 trucks/day (↑2% WoW)
• Global spot rates eased 4.4% to ~$2,445 per 40ft after early-January gains
• Drewry outlook: Global container demand growth expected to slow to ~1.8% in 2026• Persistent overcapacity and gradual Suez return likely to pressure rates further
• Global dry bulk trade hit a record 5.7bn tonnes in 2025 (↑1.7% y/y)
Summary: Early-year rate volatility is giving way to softer fundamentals, with overcapacity and weaker demand growth expected to dominate pricing through 2026.
4) Ocean Freight and Global Shipping
Headline takeaway: Rates remain volatile with downward pressure building into 2026.
• Global spot rates eased 4.4% to ~$2,445 per 40ft after early-January gains
• Drewry outlook: Global container demand growth expected to slow to ~1.8% in 2026• Persistent overcapacity and gradual Suez return likely to pressure rates further
• Global dry bulk trade hit a record 5.7bn tonnes in 2025 (↑1.7% y/y)
Summary: Early-year rate volatility is giving way to softer fundamentals, with overcapacity and weaker demand growth expected to dominate pricing through 2026.
Global Freight Rates
Weekly Container Rate Update – 22 January 2026
Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 10% to $2,212 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.”
