Logistics News Update – 7th July 2026

Welcome to another Logistics News Update. 

This week’s logistics update reflects an operating environment that remains active but is becoming more expensive, less predictable, and increasingly dependent on accurate shipment specific planning. Global container freight rates increased by a further 9% to US$4 530 per 40-foot container and have now approximately doubled within two months. Carrier surcharges, tighter vessel space, and ongoing port congestion mean that earlier freight rates and landed cost estimates should not be treated as final without reconfirmation.

Conditions at South African ports also remain uneven, Durban’s public congestion indicator has increased to approximately four days while Coega remains at approximately five days. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth appear more manageable at around one day each, but these general indicators can hide significantly longer delays affecting individual vessels. Cargo owners should therefore keep checking actual vessel schedules, terminal status, and transport availability before confirming delivery commitments.

Cross border movements require the same level of attention. Average South African border crossing times deteriorated to approximately 9.6 hours while Kasumbalesa remains a major regional constraint, with long queues and reduced daily clearances into the Democratic Republic of Congo. Zambia’s new Advance Cargo Information requirement also introduces an additional compliance step for freight moving into or through the country.

There are also positive developments to monitor. Evergreen’s new weekly Asia to South Africa service has commenced and Maputo has launched Mozambique’s first Port Community System. Both developments could improve capacity, visibility, and regional routing options but their commercial value will depend on schedule reliability, effective implementation, and total landed cost rather than headline availability alone.

Cargo continues to move but businesses should not plan on normal lead times or earlier pricing assumptions this week. Every shipment should be checked against current freight rates, port status, border requirements, and available capacity before commercial commitments are made.

Agri & Transport Summary

South Africa is heading towards another record grain crop but the volumes moving into export markets remain well below expectations. The maize crop is currently estimated at 17.06 million tonnes while opening stocks and domestic demand could leave the country with an exportable surplus of approximately 7.73 million tonnes. This is around 39% higher than the previous season but current projections indicate that only 2.93 million tonnes may be exported during the marketing year.
Early shipping slot bookings suggested that approximately 1.45 million tonnes could move through deep sea export channels but by the end of June only around 550 000 tonnes of yellow maize were expected to be exported. South African maize remains approximately US$8 to US$16 per tonne above export parity while soybeans are estimated to be around US$20 to US$25 per tonne above export parity. A stronger rand, higher fuel costs, elevated port charges, and continued reliance on road transport have reduced South Africa’s competitiveness against exporters including Brazil, Argentina, and the United States.
The logistics challenge is that South Africa’s strongest grain export window normally runs from May to September before larger crops from the Americas enter the market. Delayed harvesting and slow export commitments have already reduced some of the available opportunity. Durban remains the most competitive export route while alternatives such as East London and Maputo could add approximately US$12 per tonne to export costs. Delays in truck turnaround times would place further pressure on the economics of these routes.
What to monitor: The pace of maize and soybean export bookings during July and August, road transport and port capacity into Durban and whether local prices adjust sufficiently to make further deep-sea exports commercially viable.

Logistics & Trade Headlines

• Evergreen’s new weekly Asia to South Africa service has commenced: The Far East South Africa Express service connects Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Shekou and Singapore with Durban and Cape Town. The service provides additional capacity between Asia and South Africa and includes what Evergreen describes as the only direct Central China connection to Cape Town. Importers should compare the new routing against existing services based on transit time, schedule reliability, and total landed cost.
• Regional border delays are undermining improvements at Durban: A Trademark Africa commissioned performance framework has found that improved performance at the Port of Durban is not translating into faster end to end transit times because inland border crossings along the North South Corridor remain significant bottlenecks. Cargo owners moving freight into Southern and Central Africa should assess the full corridor rather than focusing only on port performance.
• Maputo has launched Mozambique’s first Port Community System: The new digital platform will connect shipping lines, terminal operators, customs authorities, transporters, freight forwarders, banks, and other port users through a single system. It will cover vessel activity, customs processes, truck and rail movements, warehousing, and performance monitoring. The platform could strengthen Maputo’s position as an alternative regional gateway if the integration is implemented effectively.
• The European Union has ended its low value customs duty exemption: From 1 July 2026 the previous €150 customs duty exemption for low value imports was replaced by a temporary flat €3 customs duty on qualifying imports from outside the European Union. South African exporters using ecommerce and direct to consumer channels should review pricing, product classification, and customer communication because the change will increase the cost of lower value shipments.
• Iran is again seeking authority to charge vessels using the Strait of Hormuz: Iran intends to pursue transit fees after the current 60-day toll free period ends and has introduced insurance and passage permit requirements during the interim period. The legal and political position remains uncertain but future tolls, insurance increases or movement restrictions could affect fuel prices, shipping costs and cargo moving through Gulf trade routes.
• South Africa’s vehicle exports declined while commercial vehicle sales remained resilient: Vehicle exports fell by 6.9% in June to 33 879 units compared with 36 377 units in June 2025 while total domestic new vehicle sales increased by 15.3% to 54 482 units. The figures indicate continued domestic demand and business investment in transport fleets despite weaker export activity.

What to monitor: The practical effect of the new Durban driver checks, further shipping surcharge announcements, any revised PVoC timetable and whether rising international freight rates begin affecting South African import pricing more materially.

Let’s Learn, what is a Port Community System and why does it matter?

A Port Community System is a secure digital platform that allows the different businesses and authorities involved in a port movement to exchange information through one connected system. This can include shipping lines, terminal operators, customs authorities, transporters, freight forwarders, rail operators, warehouses, banks, and cargo owners.

The objective is not simply to replace paperwork with an online process. It is to improve coordination between parties that often work on separate systems and depend on one another before cargo can move. International trade organisations identify better data sharing and coordination as important requirements for improving port efficiency and supply chain resilience.

In practical terms

A container movement can require information and approval from several parties before it is discharged, released, collected, or delivered. When each party uses a separate system, information may need to be captured more than once, and documents may be sent manually between stakeholders.

A Port Community System can create a central digital connection through which authorised users submit, receive and track information relating to:

• Vessel arrivals and departures
• Import and export cargo
• Customs processing and cargo release
• Container availability
• Terminal movements
• Truck appointments and gate access
• Rail movements
• Warehousing and storage
• Payments and supporting documents

The platform does not remove the need for customs, terminal, or commercial approvals. It is intended to make those processes easier to coordinate and more visible.

Where people get caught

• Cargo documents are submitted late or contain inconsistent information
• Customs release is completed but the terminal or transporter has not received the update
• The container is available, but no truck appointment or collection slot has been secured
• Different parties work from different versions of the same document
• Manual processing creates delays over weekends or after normal working hours
• The cargo owner assumes that one approval means every party is ready
• System information is available, but nobody takes responsibility for acting on it

Quick example

An imported container arrives at the port, but several steps are still required before it can leave the terminal. Customs must release the cargo, the shipping line must issue its release, terminal charges may need to be settled, and the transporter must have the correct documentation and gate booking. Without an integrated system, these updates may be communicated separately by email, telephone or through different portals. A delay or error at one point can prevent collection and lead to additional storage, truck standing time, or demurrage. A Port Community System can allow the relevant parties to see the status of these processes through one connected platform. This does not guarantee that the container will move without delay, but it can make the cause of the delay easier to identify and resolve.

What importers and exporters should check

Before using a port or corridor supported by a Port Community System, confirm:

• Which stakeholders are connected to the system
• Which documents and approvals can be processed electronically
• Whether the system provides live status information or only document submission
• Who remains responsible for monitoring each stage
• Whether transport appointments and terminal access are included
• What contingency process applies when the system is unavailable
• Whether users require registration, training, or separate access permissions

Takeaway: A Port Community System can improve visibility and coordination, but technology alone does not remove port delays. The value depends on reliable information, participation by all major stakeholders and clear responsibility for acting when a problem appears. The strongest logistics process combines digital visibility with active shipment management. Knowing where the cargo is matters but knowing what must happen next is what keeps it moving.

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NEWS

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Port Operations Update:

South African port conditions remain uneven this week with Durban showing the clearest deterioration in current public congestion data. GoComet is reflecting approximately four days at Durban, five days at Coega and one day each at Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. These figures are median indicators rather than guaranteed vessel waiting times so shipment specific schedules and terminal conditions should still be checked before delivery commitments are confirmed.

• Durban: Current GoComet data reflects a delay of approximately four days which is higher than the two days recorded in last week’s update. This makes Durban one of the main ports to monitor because any additional gate, equipment or vessel pressure could affect container availability, truck planning, and delivery dates. Transporters should also ensure that drivers have completed any required terminal induction and documentation processes before arriving at Pier 1 or the Durban Multi-Purpose Terminal.
• Cape Town: Current congestion remains relatively manageable at approximately one day. The terminal continues to carry weather exposure because strong winds can suspend vessel and landside operations with limited notice. The planned introduction of four hybrid straddle carriers during July should support yard flexibility but the operational benefit will depend on commissioning, availability and how effectively the equipment is integrated into the terminal operation.
• Coega and Ngqura: Current GoComet data reflects a delay of approximately five days which remains the highest published congestion level among the four main container ports. This is unchanged from last week and indicates that Eastern Cape vessel planning still requires additional flexibility. Exporters should protect vessel cut offs and cold chain movements because a general five-day median can conceal longer delays affecting individual vessels.
• Port Elizabeth: Current GoComet data reflects a delay of approximately one day which is a significant improvement from the eight-day level reported during the earlier period of Eastern Cape congestion. The terminal therefore appears more manageable but recent changes show that conditions can move quickly when weather, vessel bunching or equipment availability disrupts the operating plan.

What to monitor: The increase in Durban’s congestion indicator, continued delays at Coega and any wind related interruption at Cape Town or the Eastern Cape terminals. Cargo owners should continue checking the actual vessel programme and terminal status rather than relying only on the general port average.

Key Highlights from Last Week’s Discussions – 28 June 2026
Source: BUSA, SAAFF, and global logistics data

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Port Operations

South African container terminals handled 60 719 TEUs during the week of 22 to 28 June which was 7% lower than the 65 621 TEUs handled during the previous period. The daily average decreased to 8 674 TEUs but remained 10% above the projected average. Cape Town Container Terminal volumes declined by 22% to 14 373 TEUs following weather disruption while Port Elizabeth decreased by 26% to 5 931 TEUs. Durban Pier 1 declined by 4% to 16 589 TEUs while Ngqura increased by 3% to 19 928 TEUs. Formal throughput information for Durban Gateway Terminal remains unavailable although separate operational reporting estimated that daily volumes increased by 4% to approximately 2 774 containers. Operational performance remained uneven. Cape Town Container Terminal maintained strong equipment availability with eight of nine ship to shore cranes available while Durban Pier 1 truck turnaround time improved by 15% to approximately 51 minutes. Durban Gateway Terminal vessel delays increased to an average of 45 hours at anchorage and 82 hours at berth. Ngqura vessels waited approximately 70 hours at anchorage while Port Elizabeth remained the main concern with vessels waiting an average of 119 hours before berthing.
Key Insight: National throughput decreased but remained above projections. Strong equipment availability supported operations but extended vessel delays at Durban Gateway Terminal, Ngqura and Port Elizabeth continue to create planning and delivery risk.

Air Cargo

International air cargo through OR Tambo increased by 6% week on week to approximately 7 391 tonnes. Inbound cargo increased by 5% to approximately 4 681 tonnes while outbound cargo increased by 8% to approximately 2 710 tonnes. Current international air cargo volumes were 18% higher than June 2025 and 16% above JuneInternational air cargo through OR Tambo increased by 4% week on week to approximately 7 680 tonnes which marked a third consecutive weekly increase. Inbound cargo increased by 1% to approximately 4 730 tonnes while outbound cargo increased by 9% to approximately 2 950 tonnes. Current international air cargo volumes were 23% higher than June 2025 and 21% above June 2019 levels.
Global air cargo pricing increased slightly to approximately US$3.24 per kilogram while spot rates rose to US$3.75 per kilogram. Rates remained approximately 35% higher than the same period last year despite some capacity returning to Middle East routes and lower jet fuel prices. 2019 levels. Global air cargo conditions remained stable with worldwide tonnage increasing by 1% while capacity and average rates were unchanged. Average global pricing remained at approximately US$3.23 per kilogram and was still around one third higher than the same period last year.

Key Insight: South African air cargo demand remains strong with outbound cargo providing the main growth. Additional global capacity has not yet translated into meaningful rate relief.

Road and Border Crossings

Average South African border crossing times deteriorated by 23% to approximately 9.6 hours while average crossing times across the wider SADC region increased by 9% to approximately 8.9 hours. Lebombo truck volumes decreased by 4% to approximately 1 491 heavy vehicles per day. Queue times improved by 11% to approximately 4.2 hours while processing times decreased by 7% to approximately 4.1 hours.

Kasumbalesa remained the most constrained regional crossing. Construction reduced daily clearances into the Democratic Republic of Congo from approximately 450 to 500 vehicles to between 200 and 250 vehicles while queues extended beyond 20 kilometres. Chirundu, Dedza and Kasumbalesa all recorded average crossing times of more than one day. Zambia also introduced mandatory Advance Cargo Information submissions from 1 July 2026 which will affect clearing agents, transporters, importers and freight forwarders moving goods into or through Zambia.

The report estimated the total indirect cost of cross border delays at approximately R699 million for the week. The report states that this was 14% higher than the previous period but also gives the previous estimate as R812 million. These figures are inconsistent so the direction of the weekly movement cannot be confirmed from the published report.

Key Insight:  Border performance deteriorated across South Africa and the wider region. Kasumbalesa remains a major corridor risk while Zambia’s new cargo information requirement adds another compliance step for cross border movements.

Ocean Freight and Global Shipping

Global container freight rates increased by a further 9% to US$4 530 per 40-foot container which means the Drewry World Container Index has approximately doubled within two months. Shanghai to New York increased by 11% to US$7 902 while Shanghai to Los Angeles increased by 10% to US$6 349. Shanghai to Genoa rose by 10% to US$6 360 while Shanghai to Rotterdam increased by 7% to US$4 682.

Container shipping conditions remain tight despite the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately 26 containerships representing 195 000 TEUs have withdrawn from the Persian Gulf while more than 60 vessels remain deployed on regional services. Port congestion reached its highest level since 2022 with 10.9% of the global container fleet waiting at anchorages. Global schedule reliability improved to 64.7% in May but the average delay for late vessels increased to 5.52 days.

Key Insight: Freight rate pressure remains elevated and improving schedule reliability does not mean that cargo is moving faster. Importers should continue checking actual transit times, blank sailings, available vessel space and applicable surcharges.st drivers.

Strategic Outlook

The week showed a decline in national container throughput but continued strength in air cargo and generally good terminal equipment availability. The underlying logistics system remains uneven with extended vessel delays in the Eastern Cape, higher waiting times at Durban Gateway Terminal and deteriorating border performance across Southern Africa.
Global freight rates have doubled within two months while congestion, vessel repositioning and geopolitical uncertainty continue to restrict effective capacity. Businesses should protect shipment planning with realistic lead times, current landed cost calculations and corridor specific monitoring because stronger equipment availability and improved headline schedule reliability do not automatically translate into dependable execution.

Global Freight Rates

Drewry’s World Container Index increased by a further 9% to US$4 530 per 40-foot container on 2 July 2026. This followed the 5% increase recorded the previous week and means the index has risen by approximately 14% over the two latest reporting periods. Drewry attributed the latest increase to continued rate pressure on both the Transpacific and Asia to Europe trades.

Transpacific rates strengthened sharply. Shanghai to New York increased by 11% to US$7 902 per 40-foot container while Shanghai to Los Angeles rose by 10% to US$6 349. Eight blank sailings were announced on the Transpacific trade for the following week which reflects tighter capacity than the previous period. Carriers are also continuing to introduce July General Rate Increases and Peak Season Surcharges with HMM announcing a surcharge of US$3 000 per 40-foot container from 15 July.

Asia to Europe rates also moved higher. Shanghai to Genoa increased by 10% to US$6 360 per 40-foot container while Shanghai to Rotterdam rose by 7% to US$4 682. Drewry reported that only one blank sailing had been announced on the Asia to Europe trade for the following week which suggests that the increase is being supported by strong peak season demand, higher Freight All Kinds rates and Peak Season Surcharges rather than broad capacity withdrawal.

The latest increase confirms that the global freight market remains firm despite broadly available scheduled capacity. Early peak season demand, higher carrier surcharges, port congestion and continued geopolitical uncertainty are supporting pricing. Although the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has allowed vessel traffic to begin recovering, security risks remain elevated and Middle East uncertainty continues to affect shipping confidence and operating costs.

Importers should not assume that earlier freight rates or landed costs will remain valid. Rate validity, available carrier space, Peak Season Surcharges, General Rate Increases, blank sailings and booking deadlines should all be confirmed before purchase orders or delivery commitments are finalised.

What to monitor: Whether carriers successfully implement the additional July surcharges and whether the latest increases continue despite limited blank sailings on the Asia to Europe trade. Source: Drewrey World

Final Thoughts

This week’s update shows that South Africa’s logistics network remains active, but the operating environment is becoming more expensive and less predictable. National container throughput declined while air cargo volumes improved and border crossing times deteriorated across South Africa and the wider SADC region. Global freight rates increased again, and South Africa moved into a monthly trade deficit as exports weakened and imports increased. None of these developments should be viewed in isolation because together they point to greater pressure on working capital, delivery reliability, and landed cost accuracy.

The immediate commercial risk is not that the logistics system has stopped working. The risk is that businesses continue planning as though earlier rates, normal lead times and general port averages still apply. Durban congestion has increased while Coega remains elevated and individual vessel delays at Port Elizabeth and Ngqura can be materially longer than public port averages suggest. Border congestion also remains corridor specific with Kasumbalesa continuing to create serious delay risk for cargo moving into the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Freight pricing requires the same level of attention. Drewry’s World Container Index has approximately doubled within two months while carrier surcharges and July rate increases continue to develop. Importers should avoid approving landed costs based only on the base ocean freight rate because the final cost can change through Peak Season Surcharges, General Rate Increases, blank sailings, space limitations, and changes in the date that the cargo is ready to move.

• Operational: Check actual vessel schedules, terminal conditions, container availability, and transport bookings before confirming delivery dates.
• Border risk: Review corridor specific crossing times and allow additional contingency for Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other constrained regional routes.
• Market and cost: Reconfirm freight validity, surcharges, carrier space, and exchange rate exposure before approving landed costs.
• Planning: Protect working capital by identifying delays early and avoiding unnecessary storage, demurrage, truck standing time and missed vessel cut offs.

The strongest logistics decisions are made before the cargo moves. A shipment can still arrive late despite good planning, but the cost and client impact are usually far greater when the risks were visible, and nobody acted on them.

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