Welcome to the last edition of our Global Logistics Update for the month of January. The logistics industry continues to evolve rapidly, influenced by a dynamic mix of geopolitical events, technological advancements, and changing consumer demands. We aim to bring you the latest updates on shipping trends, challenges, and opportunities worldwide in order to navigate this ever-changing landscape
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 7 days, Cape Town at 5 days and Coega at 3 days on average.
The following data has been summarised from various port authorities and international data bases according to information that is available across Southern African Ports.
Port Operations: Volumes recorded
Port performance: linked to GDP
For further understanding: https://www.freightnews.co.za/print-archives/southern-african-ports-2025/view-pdf
While South African ports are currently grappling with operational inefficiencies, financial losses, and congestion, strategic investments and infrastructure reforms are underway to address these issues. The success of these initiatives will be pivotal in enhancing port performance and supporting the nation’s economic recovery in the coming years.
Transnet reveals aggressive private-sector ambitions
Business Day reports that the state-owned logistics company plans to launch a R20 billion manganese export terminal project in Ngqura by May and to reintroduce a project aimed at upgrading the container corridor between Durban and Johannesburg.
Global Ports
Port Updates:
Ports play an important role in maintaining the effectiveness of maritime logistics. When ports encounter congestion, strikes, or natural disasters, the maritime container network might be significantly affected. Global port congestion is a complex issue, and we therefore only review basic routing, infrastructure demands and vessel berthing delays.
Key Congestion Hotspots:
Africa & Indian Island Oceans
African ports continue to experience congestion. Export scheduling to the region is still erratic with multiple changes to published schedules.
Durban, South Africa: As the busiest port in Africa, Durban frequently experiences congestion due to its strategic location, handling a significant portion of the continent’s trade.
Lagos, Nigeria: The largest city in Africa, Lagos is a major commercial hub, and its port, Apapa Port, often faces severe congestion due to infrastructure constraints and high import volumes.
Tema, Ghana: A crucial gateway for Ghana’s trade, Tema Port can experience congestion during peak seasons, particularly with imports from China.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Serving as the main port for landlocked countries like Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, Dar es Salaam Port can face congestion due to increased trade volumes and infrastructure limitations.
Port Louis, Mauritius: As a major transshipment hub for the region, Port Louis can experience congestion during peak seasons due to high cargo volumes and limited berthing capacity
North America
North America, particularly the United States, faces significant traffic congestion issues, especially in major metropolitan areas.
Los Angeles, California: Consistently ranks as one of the most congested cities globally, with extensive traffic jams and a complex road network
Los Angeles-Long Beach, USA: This port complex, the busiest in the Western Hemisphere, has been a major bottleneck for global supply chains. High import volumes, particularly from Asia, have strained capacity, leading to vessel backlogs and long wait times
New York-New Jersey, USA: This port complex, one of the largest on the East Coast, faces congestion issues, particularly during peak seasons and due to infrastructure constraints
Savannah, USA: The Port of Savannah, a major gateway for U.S. imports from Asia, has experienced significant congestion due to increased cargo volumes and operational challenges
Vancouver, Canada: As a major gateway for trade with Asia, the Port of Vancouver has experienced congestion due to increased cargo volumes, labour disputes, and rail capacity constraints
Latin America
Manzanillo, Mexico: A major gateway for trade between Asia and North America, Manzanillo has faced severe congestion due to increased cargo volumes, particularly from China
Santos, Brazil: The largest port in Latin America, Santos handles a significant portion of Brazil’s exports and imports. It has experienced congestion due to increased trade volumes, infrastructure constraints, and operational challenges
Buenaventura, Colombia: A key port for Colombia’s exports, Buenaventura has faced congestion due to increased cargo volumes, particularly of coal, and infrastructure limitations
Callao, Peru: The main port for Peru, Callao has experienced congestion due to increased trade volumes, particularly of minerals, and infrastructure constraints
North West, UK, Mediterranean
Algeciras, Spain: A major transshipment hub for cargo moving between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, Algeciras can experience congestion due to high volumes of traffic
Valencia, Spain: Another significant Mediterranean port, Valencia handles a large volume of containerized cargo and can face congestion, particularly during peak seasons
Rotterdam, Netherlands: While technically in North Western Europe, Rotterdam’s proximity to the Mediterranean makes it a crucial gateway for trade with the region. As one of the busiest ports globally, Rotterdam can experience congestion
London Gateway Port, UK: Recent reports indicate that this port is currently experiencing significant congestion, with berthing delays estimated to be around 10 days
Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East
Nhava Sheva, Mumbai: India’s largest container port, frequently faces congestion due to increased cargo volumes and infrastructure constraints
Mundra Port: A major gateway for India’s trade, Mundra Port can experience congestion during peak seasons and due to operational challenges
Chennai Port: Another significant port in India, Chennai Port faces congestion issues, particularly with imports from China
Jebel Ali Port, UAE: A major transshipment hub in the region, Jebel Ali Port can experience congestion due to high volumes of traffic
Suez Canal: The Suez Canal, a vital shipping route, can experience congestion, particularly during peak seasons and following disruptions
Salalah Port, Oman: A significant port for trade in the Middle East, Salalah Port can face congestion due to increased cargo volumes and infrastructure limitations
Colombo Port, Sri Lanka: is currently experiencing significant congestion up to 2 weeks, impacting trade flows and supply chains
Asia Pacific + Oceania
Shanghai, China: Despite recent improvements, Shanghai continues to face congestion due to high cargo volumes and occasional disruptions.
Ningbo, China: Another major Chinese port, Ningbo-Zhoushan experiences frequent congestion.
Singapore: As a major transshipment hub, Singapore often experiences congestion due to high traffic volumes with up to 2 weeks berthing delays.
Southeast Asian Ports: Ports in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are also grappling with increasing cargo volumes and infrastructure limitations at present
Australia: Australian ports, particularly those on the east coast, have faced congestion due to increased import volumes and labour shortages
China – Lunar New Year 2025 starts on Wednesday, January 29th, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 12th. Celebrations last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday. Please expect delays as many companies will close during this period (January 29th–February 4th, 2025).
- China: 28th January to 4th February, resuming 5th February
- Hong Kong: 29th January to 2nd February, resuming 3rd February
- Korea: 28th January to 30th January, resuming 31st January
- Malaysia: 29th January to 30th January, resuming 31st January
- Singapore: 28 January to 30th January, resuming 31st January
- Taiwan: 25th January to 2nd February, resuming 3rd February
- Vietnam: 27th January to 2nd February. resuming 3rd February
North Europe – Wather Warning
Extreme Weather conditions are expected in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay over the coming days. This will severely impact vessel movement and port operations and might cause delays to South Africa bound vessels as well as vessels sailing North to Rotterdam/London. Shipping lines will keep all informed concerning any significant deviations to schedules.
Businesses overhaul global supply chains to cut risk
Economic challenges remain a priority, with 33% of executives citing prolonged inflation and high interest rates as chief concerns. By leveraging neutral hubs, diversifying suppliers and adopting advanced technologies like AI, businesses are better positioned to navigate this era of economic and geopolitical complexity.
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/businesses-overhaul-global-supply-chains-cut-risk
Baltic Dry Index drops below 800 points
The dry bulk shipping market continued its downwards slide on Friday ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in Asia
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/dry-bulk/baltic-dry-index-drops-below-800-points
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.
Shippers face extreme ends of scale of uncertainty
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/shippers-face-extreme-ends-scale-uncertainty
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd shuffle port calls on transatlantic services
https://theloadstar.com/maersk-and-hapag-lloyd-shuffle-port-calls-on-transatlantic-services
Maritime’s Nuclear “Tomorrowland”
https://www.maritime-executive.com/magazine/maritime-s-nuclear-tomorrowland
Container lines still ordering more ships, despite falling spot rates
https://theloadstar.com/container-lines-still-ordering-more-ships-despite-falling-spot-rates
Compliance fears as Indian Customs introduces revised manifest rules
https://theloadstar.com/compliance-fears-as-indian-customs-introduces-revised-manifest-rules
Unions renew call for industrial action at France’s biggest box port
https://theloadstar.com/unions-renew-call-for-industrial-action-at-frances-biggest-box-port
Sources & References
Seatrade Maritime / Loadstar / Freight News / GoComet / Maersk / Openpr / Transnet / WeFreight / MSC / AfricaPorts / Container Statistics / Flexport / SACO / Hellenic Shipping / Worldcargonews