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Logistics

Logistics is the sector concerned with the planning, implementation and control of the efficient movement and storage of goods, services and information from point of origin to point of consumption. The industry encompasses transportation, warehousing, inventory management, materials handling, packaging, supply chain coordination and distribution network design. Logistics activities span multiple modes of transport including road freight, rail, maritime shipping, air cargo and intermodal operations. The sector plays a critical role in manufacturing, mining, agriculture, retail and e-commerce by ensuring that raw materials, components and finished products reach their destinations on time and in good condition. Key players include third-party logistics providers, freight forwarders, courier services, port operators and integrated supply chain specialists. In Africa, logistics faces particular challenges including infrastructure deficits, border delays, regulatory complexity and the need to serve dispersed markets across vast distances. Technology adoption is transforming the industry through warehouse automation, fleet telematics, route optimisation software and digital freight platforms. The sector is a significant employer and contributor to GDP in most economies, with performance directly affecting trade competitiveness and the cost of doing business. Logistics efficiency is measured by metrics such as on-time delivery rates, inventory turnover, transport costs as a percentage of sales and order fulfilment cycle times. Environmental concerns are driving interest in green logistics practices including fuel-efficient vehicles, route consolidation and reverse logistics for product returns and recycling.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Private rail operators to test open-access reform

Eleven private train operating companies have been selected across 41 routes and six corridors under Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager's Rail Access Agreements, with first private locomotives expected on the network in the second half of 2026, says Gap Infrastructure Corporation CEO Roelof van den Berg. The operators are expected to add 24-million tonnes of freight capacity, but van den Berg says bankable, investor-ready infrastructure around loading facilities, terminals and corridor connections is needed to help lift annual freight rail volumes to 250-million tonnes by 2029.

Fortress raises R1.35-billion for logistics pipeline

Fortress Real Estate Investments has placed 55.67-million shares at R24.25 each, raising about R1.35-billion to fund its South African and Central and Eastern European logistics development pipeline, CEO Steven Brown says, citing e-commerce growth and demand for modern warehousing. Separately, Absa CIB's Mahir Hamdulay notes the industrial property sector delivered the highest total return among major property classes in 2025, at 13.4%, supported by tight vacancies and strong tenant demand.

Dube TradePort expands agri-export infrastructure

Dube TradePort is preparing an 18 ha second phase of its Dube AgriZone to widen access for small-scale farmers, after tenants generated R2.5-billion in exports in the 2024/25 financial year through the N2, N3, Durban Container Terminal and Dube Cargo Terminal, says cargo operations senior manager Ricardo Isaac.

Logistics Updates


The above image depicts the Dube Cargo Terminal
KwaZulu-Natal SEZ facilitating increased market access
3rd July 2026 By: Lynne Davies

Efficient sea and air freight operations play a critical role in facilitating market access for high-value perishables. The faster growers and freight forwarders can move products from farm to... 


BMW Group South Africa emphasises consistency, reliability of parts supply
BMW Group South Africa emphasises consistency, reliability of parts supply
1st July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

With a focus on strengthening the efficiency and reach of its parts distribution network across South Africa, BMW Group South Africa’s regional distribution centre (RDC), in Midrand, Gauteng, is a... 


Bankable infrastructure is the missing link in rail reform
Bankable infrastructure is the missing link in rail reform
1st July 2026

By: Roelof van den Berg - CEO of Gap Infrastructure Corporation (GIC)   


Fortress to raise R1.35bn in bookbuild
1st July 2026 By: Schalk Burger

JSE-listed real estate investment trust Fortress Real Estate Investments has placed 55.67-million B ordinary shares at R24.25 a share as a bookbuild placement following strong institutional demand.... 


The Strong Fundamentals Supporting South African Property's Recovery
The Strong Fundamentals Supporting South African Property's Recovery
30th June 2026

By: Mahir Hamdulay - Equity Research: Head of Financials Research at Absa CIB South African commercial property has now delivered four consecutive years of positive capital growth, a milestone that... 


Dsv Sponsors 2026 Sapics Conference
29th June 2026

Commenting on DSV’s sponsorship of the 2026 SAPICS Conference, Anthony Diack, Managing Director of Contract Logistics at DSV in South Africa, said SAPICS, as the country’s premier supply chain... 


An image of BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso
BLSA calls for collaboration, tackling corruption to reverse Joburg decay
29th June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Business organisation Business Leadership South Africa’s (BLSA’s) council last week met to consider research on the state of Johannesburg, presented by Genesis Analytics economic growth and impact... 


Collage of images showing range of logistics and heavy lifting solutions
Machinery logistics solutions address Southern African industrial challenges
26th June 2026

South African machinery logistics and heavy lifting solutions company Lovemore Bros offers a diversified portfolio of products and services designed to meet the complex demands of large-scale... 


Grindrod reports Maputo port volume momentum, says transport constraints expected to ease
Grindrod reports Maputo port volume momentum, says transport constraints expected to ease
24th June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Logistics group Grindrod has highlighted that it expects an improvement in its overall performance in the second half of the year as weather-related disruptions ease and rail capacity recovers. CEO... 


Seifsa president Mervyn Naidoo, who is also Actom CEO
Gap between policy intent and action must be closed to halt deindustrialisation
24th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) president Mervyn Naidoo has called on government to urgently close the prevailing gap between its stated commitment to... 


An image of CIPS regional MD Paul Vos
CIPS outlines strategies for supply chain resilience amid energy challenges
23rd June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

South Africa may have largely moved beyond the sustained phases of loadshedding that defined recent years; however, energy costs continue to climb, global professional body the Chartered Institute... 


Gavin Kelly
RFA urges govt to properly enforce laws to tackle hiring of illegal foreigners
23rd June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

In response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on June 7 on the challenge of illegal immigration and xenophobia in the country, Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly... 


Exceptional Programme Lined Up for 2026 SAPICS Conference
22nd June 2026

Taking place from 19 to 22 July 2026 at the Century City Conference Centre, this year's event marks a major milestone as SAPICS celebrates its 60th anniversary of advancing supply chain excellence... 


Exceptional Programme Lined Up for 2026 SAPICS Conference
19th June 2026

Taking place from 19 to 22 July 2026 at the Century City Conference Centre, this year's event marks a major milestone as SAPICS celebrates its 60th anniversary of advancing supply chain excellence... 


Battery downtime a cold-chain and airport productivity risk
Battery downtime a cold-chain and airport productivity risk
18th June 2026

Airports and cold-chain operations are built around a critical component: uptime. From refrigerated warehouses and distribution centres to food retail and pharmaceutical logistics, every minute of... 


Warehousing: Connected Fleets Promote Safety and Efficiency
Warehousing: Connected Fleets Promote Safety and Efficiency
15th June 2026

Intelligent safety systems and telematics are no longer optional extras for the increasingly complex warehouse industry. They are essential tools that play a critical role in improving safety,... 


Engen highlights innovation, reliability and partnership at Transport Evolution Africa 2026
Engen highlights innovation, reliability and partnership at Transport Evolution Africa 2026
15th June 2026

Engen was proud to participate in Transport Evolution Africa 2026, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the future of transport and fleet performance across Southern Africa through innovative... 


Pangolin Logistics upgrades fleet with ten new DAF trucks
15th June 2026

As part of its fleet replacement programme, Pangolin Logistics has taken delivery of ten new DAF trucks from Babcock. The new fleet – comprising five XF 480 and five XF 530 units – has been... 


Fortress CEO Steven Brown
Fortress reaffirms distributable earnings forecast, provides guidance for FY2027
12th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

JSE-listed Fortress Real Estate Investments has reaffirmed its distributable earnings forecast of at least R2.15-billion for the financial year ending June 30. This translates into a forecast... 


Image of a forklift moving packages
New express air shipments service for heavyweight cargo
12th June 2026

An express air solution for shipments up to 1 000 kg a piece and 3 000 kg a shipment, was recently announced by global logistics integrator DHL Express. The Heavy Weight Express (HWX) service marks... 


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