Welcome to the March edition of the Global Logistics Update, your essential guide to staying ahead in the dynamic world of international trade. The global logistics landscape is navigating a series of complex challenges and transformations, demanding constant vigilance and adaptability. This update provides an overview of the key challenges and emerging trends shaping the movement of goods worldwide, with a particular focus on the persistent issue of port congestion and the evolving market forces that drive them.
South African Ports
South African ports are integral to our economy, facilitating the movement of goods domestically and internationally, acting as key hubs across Southern Africa. Managed by Transnet National Ports Authority, these ports support a variety of cargo types, including bulk commodities, containers, liquid fuels, and automotive products. The primary ports include Durban, Cape Town, Richards Bay, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth, Port of East London and Saldanha Bay, each with varying degrees of challenges and advancements. We expand on our three main ports as summarised on a weekly basis below:
We highlight in these images vessels currently at anchorage pending berth at our 3 main ports. Port congestion and delays have been reported with Durban at 5 days, Cape Town at 8 days and Coega at 2 days on average.
South Africa’s key ports, particularly Durban and Cape Town, continue to face significant operational challenges that impact their efficiency and the broader logistics landscape. Contributing factors include adverse weather conditions, port inefficiencies, equipment shortages, and infrastructure issues, which have collectively hindered effective cargo handling. Despite efforts by Transnet Port Terminals to deploy new equipment and implement maintenance schedules, these measures have not fully alleviated the congestion. Consequently, there is a growing risk of cargo being diverted to alternative ports in the region.
Freight industry prepared to fight state-owned cabotage
Speaking at a presentation by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the chairman of the EWC said: “We understand that the Bill is heading back to parliament, and I want to tell you that we are going to fight it.”
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/freight-industry-prepared-fight-state-owned-cabotage
Wind hampers landside operations at Port of Cape Town
Container handling operations at the Port of Cape Town have come to a grinding halt as strong winds hammer the city once again and are expected to continue until at least Friday.
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/wind-hampers-landside-operations-port-cape-town
Maersk turns ships around to avoid Cape Town’s port
The Port of Cape Town faces mounting congestion, compounded by adverse weather expected to disrupt operations further this week.
https://www.capeindependent.com/article/maersk-turns-ships-around-to-avoid-cape-towns-port
Global Ports
Global ports are the linchpins of international trade, serving as the critical interface between maritime transport and land-based supply chains. Their efficient operation is paramount to the smooth flow of goods, impacting everything from consumer product availability to global economic stability. Global port congestion is a complex issue, and we therefore only review basic routing, infrastructure demands and vessel berthing delays.
Port Updates:
Ports not mentioned under each region, experience minor berthing delays of less than 2 days.
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Angola/Namibia– Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at main ports
Ivory Coast / Mauritius- Berthing delays of 3-5 days experienced at main ports
Kenya/Nigeria/Senegal/Tanzania – Berthing delays of +5 days experienced at main ports
*Nigeria is experiencing high levels of congestion, please expect delays
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Toronto/Vancouver – Berthing delays of 10-12 days experienced at main ports.
USA
New York/Charleston/Miami/Seattle/Long Beach – Berthing delays of 2-3 days experienced at main ports
Savannah/Norfolk/Houston/Oakland– Berthing delays of 4-6 days experienced at main ports
*Vessel schedules continue seeing changes at last minute without prior notice by carriers.
LATIN AMERICA
Argentina/Brazil/Mexico – Berthing delays of 2 days on average experienced at main ports.
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN
Belgium/Turkey/Spain – Berthing delays of 2-3 days experienced at main ports
France/Germany/Italy/Netherlands – Berthing delays of 5-7 days experienced at main ports
UK – Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at London Gateway Port. Currently clearing backlog
INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT & MIDDLE EAST
India/UAE/Sri Lanka – Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at main ports
*FCL containers transhipping in Columbo have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
ASIA PACIFIC (Including Oceania)
Korea/Malaysia/Shanghai/Nansha/Qingdao/Shanghai – Berthing delays of 2-3 days experienced at main ports
Xingang – Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at this port
*FCL containers transhipping in Tanjung Pelepas have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
Singapore – Berthing delay of 2 days with an expected 3-week transshipment delay due to space constraints.
How American Sanctions May Affect the Global Shipping Industry
The 47th United States President issued three executive orders on Feb. 1, 2025, just days after his inauguration, which directed the US to impose an additional 25% ad valorem rate of duty on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as 10% on imports from China
In Uncertain Era for Shippers, Analysts Suggest Avoiding Long Contracts
Shippers are adjusting to an unpredictable mix of geopolitical disruption, economic uncertainty and sweeping tariff changes, and some of the most prominent container freight experts are advising their clients to avoid locking in long-term contracts until the dust settles.
Freight News
We understand the importance of staying up to date with the latest trends, challenges, and advancements in our industry and we wish to highlight just a few articles which you might find of interest.
Container volumes trending upwards
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/container-volumes-trending-upwards
Imports dent SA’s agri trade surplus
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/imports-dent-sas-agri-trade-surplus
Strikes in French ports suspended until 25 March
https://www.worldcargonews.com/business/2025/03/strikes-in-french-ports-suspended-until-25-march
Agri exporters must push for greater access to China
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/agri-exporters-must-push-greater-access-china
Newton’s law applied to container freight rates
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/newton-s-law-applied-to-container-freight-rates
Mozambique and Malawi strengthen trade ties
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/mozambique-and-malawi-strengthen-trade-ties
US tariff tantrum threatens pricing progress
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/us-tariff-tantrum-threatens-pricing-progress/
Four crew killed in Russian strike on Port of Odessa
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/four-crew-killed-russian-strike-port-odessa
Sources & References
Seatrade Maritime / Loadstar / Freight News / GoComet / Maersk / Openpr / Transnet / WeFreight / MSC / AfricaPorts / Container Statistics+News / Flexport / SACO / Hellenic Shipping / Worldcargonews/ Maritime Executive / GCaptain/ Linerlytica / The Cape Independent