As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, we bring you the final edition of our Global Logistics update for March. 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 three main ports. Port congestion and delays have been reported with Durban at 4 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. Addressing these challenges requires investment in modern infrastructure, improved logistics management, and enhanced efficiency measures to keep South Africa’s ports globally competitive.
Transnet and transport union hit wage deadlock
The United National Transport Union and Transnet have reached a deadlock regarding the 2025/26 wage negotiations and the union is now preparing to file a dispute that could lead to industrial action.
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/transnet-and-transport-union-hit-wage-deadlock
Embattled ArcelorMittal South Africa welcomes steel tariff review process
The effects of additional tariffs, MacKay said, would be “quite astonishing” as downstream fabricators could go out of business. He noted the review sought to lock out imports.
ITAC commissioner explains SA’s pressing review of steel tariffs
The International Trade Administration Commission has been tasked with reviewing SA’s tariff structure for steel products to protect the embattled local industry.
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/Ivory Coast/Tanzania– Berthing delays of 4-7 days experienced at main ports
Mauritius– Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Port Louis
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Toronto/Vancouver – Berthing delays of 5-8 days experienced at main ports.
Montreal- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port with winter restrictions lifted gradually.
USA
New York/Norfolk/Miami/Houston/Charleston/Oakland – Berthing delays of 2-4 days experienced at main ports
Savannah/ Seattle – Berthing delays of 6 days experienced at main ports
*Vessel schedule amendments are occurring frequently and well as vessel rotations, some at last minute.
LATIN AMERICA
Brazil/Argentina – Berthing delays of 3 days on average experienced at main ports.
Mexico – Berthing delays of 4 days on average experienced at main ports.
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN
Belgium/Turkey/Spain/Netherlands – Berthing delays of 3-4 days on average experienced at main ports
France/Germany/Italy – Berthing delays of 4-7 days experienced at main ports
UK – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at London Gateway Port.
*Further delays expected throughout Europe due to adverse weather conditions.
INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT & MIDDLE EAST
India/UAE/Sri Lanka – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at main ports
APAC (Including Oceania)
Ningbo/Qingdao/Xiamen/Xingang – Berthing delays of 3-6 days experienced at main ports
Transshipment Data – SCT Supply Chain Solutions
Transshipment ports play a pivotal role in global trade by serving as central hubs where cargo is transferred between vessels on route to its destination. This process enables shipping lines to consolidate shipments, optimize vessel capacity, and reduce costs, especially when direct routes are unavailable or inefficient. Many of these ports are currently experiencing significant congestion and we share our own SCT data showing the average time spent at these main transhipment ports:
BIMCO Container shipping outlook: Shifts in US policy supercharge market uncertainty
In our base scenario, we forecast a weakening of the supply/demand balance during both 2025 and 2026. We assume that ships can gradually return to normal Red Sea and Suez Canal routings during 2025, leading to shorter sailing distances and thus a fall in ship demand. However, even if ships cannot return to normal routings, the supply/demand is expected to weaken.
New carrier alliances launch with record schedule reliability
February 2025 saw the launch of two new carrier alliances, Gemini Cooperation and Premier Alliance, while 2M and THE Alliance will be phased out in the coming months. Ocean Alliance will continue to operate as is. While MSC is not an alliance, the fact that they are going solo on East/West trades, and the vastness of their operated East/West network, means that they cannot be overlooked in an alliance context.
Xeneta Weekly Ocean Container Shipping Market Update – 28.03.25
https://www.xeneta.com/news/xeneta-weekly-ocean-container-shipping-market-update-28.03.25
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.
Automotive industry on tenterhooks as Trump tariffs gear up
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/automotive-industry-tenterhooks-trump-tariffs-gear
Tech investment attracts more cargo through Walvis Bay
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/tech-investment-attracts-more-cargo-through-walvis-bay
Transpacific sees first major MSC blanks as rates fall and volumes falter
https://theloadstar.com/transpacific-sees-first-major-msc-blanks-as-rates-fall-and-volumes-falter
Cape Town wind delays hit apple exporters
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/cape-town-wind-delays-hit-apple-exporters
Transpacific sees first major MSC blanks as rates fall and volumes falter
https://theloadstar.com/transpacific-sees-first-major-msc-blanks-as-rates-fall-and-volumes-falter
Customers demand complete visibility
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/customers-demand-complete-visibility-0
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 / Nan news / Freight Waves / Xeneta.