Good Day Clients & Partners,
Please find below our newsletter with the latest freight & logistics updates for the week. As always, the Inter-Sped team are ready to go the extra mile for you – so don’t hesitate to contact us.
SOUTH AFRICA
Air Freight
Exports: With peak season in full swing, demand for freight capacity ex South Africa (ZA) has risen, exerting upward pressure on freight rates.
Dead freight penalties are implemented by most airlines, 72 hours notice required for cancellations.
Emirates, QATAR, TAAG Airline & STABO AIR have huge backlogs on the connections only.
Sea Freight
Exports: Majority of transport companies will be closing from the 23 rd December (Ex Johannesburg to Durban via truck) – please expect staggered / delayed release of containers Ex JHB to Durban stacks due to above reason.
Durban Port
Operational challenges and crane maintenance programe continue at Pier 1, with resulting delayed waiting times. Clear weather is predicted for the week.
As notified by Transnet – Protest action was experienced on Bayhead Road on 9th December. Protestors dispersed around midday and traffic on Bayhead Road and Langeberg Road Precinct returned to normal. Both SAPS and Metro Police remained on site. Terminal operations remained fully functional during this time.
Customers are encouraged to collect import containers within the free storage period and to deliver export containers during the published stack dates. TPT has committed to releasing sufficient appointment slots in advance for 16, 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026 to support planning by trucking companies. If operational demand on these days exceeds expectations, terminals will add extra slots and equipment to support landside operations. The wasted-slots rule will be suspended from 16 December 2025 to 1 January 2026, with no sanctions enforced during this period.
- Pier 1: 1 – 5 days waiting time
- Pier 2 (DCT): 1 – 3 days waiting time
- Point: 0 – 2 days waiting time
Cape Town Port
Strong winds have impacted port operations, with terminal operations ceasing due to going “wind bound”. Export stack dates have been erratic and vessel omissions to Cape Town have been experienced. Significant delays are being experienced.
- CTCT: 1 – 4 days waiting time (some carriers are reporting up to 7 days)
- MPT: 0 – 2 days waiting time
Port Elizabeth
Port operations are smooth; however strong winds are expected during the week.
- PECT: 0 – 1 day waiting time.
- NCT: 0 – 1 days waiting time
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Air Freight
Exports:
Ethiopian Airline has a backlog ex ADD into LOS (Lagos) and DAR (Dar es Salaam) +/- 3 weeks.
SA Airlink backlogs into St Helena (HLE)
Sea Freight
Cross Trade Exports: Due to severe congestion in Conakry, carriers have implemented an “Emergency congestion surcharge” which will impact freight rates into West Africa.
Export load planning is subject to change as per carrier publications and amendments. Vessel delays, vessel and voyage amendments continue to be experienced.
Vessels delayed on rotational route do create a snowball effect and as a result delays and vessel changes may be expected. This may also impact transit times.
West Africa
West Africa services are experiencing delays; both on direct ex Durban Gateway, as well as
transshipment volumes moving through Europe. Vessel rotation schedule amendments are being experienced, as port and terminal delays along vessel routes are compounded. Extended lead times are anticipated.
NAMIBIA
- 0 – 3 days waiting time at Walvis Bay.
- Intermittent wind gusts to be expected.
ANGOLA
- Congestion delays at 2 days experienced at Luanda port.
GHANA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Tema port.
- Terminal is facing crane outages; crane 02 is currently under maintenance. Due to slow operations / productivity, vessel bunching is being experienced and vessels out of berthing windows may experience approximately 10 days delay.
NIGERIA
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Apapa and 4 days at Tincan.
IVORY COAST
- Berthing delay of 1 – 2 days experienced at Abidjan port.
- Due to new crane operations, the terminal has only been berthing one vessel at a time between 2nd and 12th Nov. Operational slow down is expected.
Indian Ocean Islands
MAURITIUS
- Berthing delays of up 0 – 2 days experienced at Port Louis due to adverse weather conditions and operational challenges.
- Transshipments ex Port Louis have been delayed due to carriers’ erratic schedules on the direct services. Alternate sailings are via outlying transshipment hubs, with resultant extended transit times. Cargo may be delayed in Port Louis for loading on next available “direct” sailing.
- Implementation of White Grub Protocol – no cargo operations between 18:00 and 20:00. Arrival and departure of vessels restricted between 06:00 and 18:00. This is in effect from 1 November 2025 to 15 January 2026. (White Grub Protocol refers to a bilateral phytosanitary agreement between Reunion and Mauritius to prevent the introduction of the white grub).
REUNION
- Port Reunion is seeing 4 days waiting time. Weather is clear for the rest of the week.
MADAGASCAR
- Toamasina (Tamatave) has 0 days berthing delays.
East Africa
MOZAMBIQUE
- Maputo currently reflecting 0 – 3 days and Beira reflecting 15 to 19 days vessel waiting time.
- Maputo – Intermittent wind gusts for the week.
- Delays in Beira as a result of adverse weather conditions.
KENYA
- Berthing delays of up to 6 to 10 days experienced at Mombasa port.
- Terminal is facing long-term congestion, slow productivity due to equipment shortages and high transshipment volumes. Berth delays are also due to vessel bunching arriving off-window.
TANZANIA
- Berthing delays of 5 – 6 days experienced at DPW terminal. Terminal gate and road congestion is contributing to delays. Adani terminal has maintenance work on the quay over the next 2 years. Due to recent conflicts, waiting time is 8 – 10 days; with expectation that the delays and backlog should clear by end of December.
NORTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
Please note the revised Q1 bunker charges for cargo moving to and from North and Central America, effective 1 January 2026. These rates apply northbound and southbound. The updated bunker levels remain unchanged from current rates and apply as follows
- 20′ Dry Van (DV): USD 715
- 40′ Dry Van / High Cube (DV/HC): USD 1,430
- 20′ Reefer (RE): USD 930
- 40′ Reefer / High Reefer (RE/HR): USD 1,860
CANADA
Ongoing bad weather in the North Atlantic has resulted in vessel delays; this has had a significant impact on St John. Delays are anticipated.
Montreal
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
- All services calling Montreal are facing severe weather on the North Atlantic and are running 24 to 120 hours behind schedule.
- Rail car supply is stable, but dwell time is approximately 4 days due to poor weather conditions.
Vancouver
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
- Steady productivity and consistent rail cargo supply.
USA
Terminals Updates:
NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY
- Average vessel waiting time in New York terminals is at 3 days.
- PM Terminals have adjusted trucker appointment system as at 1 December 2025:
- Shorter appointment windows: Windows will double from 5 to 10 per day and change from 2 hours to 1 hour windows.
- Revised tolerance: Trucks may arrive up to 1 hour after the appointment window, but no longer before.
- Overall appointment window span: Each appointment will cover 2 total hours (1 hour window + 1 hour post-tolerance) instead of 3 hours.
SAVANNAH
- Average vessel waiting time for Savanah terminals is 2 days.
- SACO / Shipco containers sealed ex Atlanta load out Savannah terminals.
LOS ANGELES/ LONG BEACH
- Vessel waiting time is up to 2 days for Los Angeles and 3 days for Long Beach.
SOUTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
ARGENTINA – Buenos Aires
- Berthing delays of 0 days. Terminals are working normally.
BRAZIL – Santos / Paranagua
- Berthing delay of 3 days out of Paranagua.
- New vessel rotation effective from 1 November; with containers for SA no longer loaded out of Santos port.
- Yard congestion has improved and terminal is working normally.
MEXICO
Altimera
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Altamira port.
Veracruz
- Berthing delays of 1 day.
- ICAVE Veracurz terminal is working on FIFO operations.
Manzanillo
- Berthing delays of 1 day.
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN.
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
From 1 January 2026, the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) will require shipping lines to account for 100% of emissions on cargo moving to and from EU/EEA countries, up from 70% in 2025. This change will increase operational and compliance costs, which will be passed on through an EU ETS surcharge applied across the supply chain, similar to other regulatory charges. The surcharge will vary over time in line with the market price of carbon allowances, following the same adjustment principles used for the Bunker Recovery Charge (BRC).
There has been some improvement of carrier transshipment handling at hubs; although on both northbound and southbound services; scheduling is erratic and amendments to port rotations to be anticipated; both in Europe and South Africa.
BELGIUM
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Antwerp port.
- PSA has gate opening times to 6 days prior to vessel ETA, while AGW sees opening times at 5 days prior to vessel ETA.
- Congestion delays continue in Antwerp; with restricted booking slots delaying the movement of containers. Gate in schedules are very fluid, with last minute changes from the carriers at very little notice. Loading delays may be experienced.
- High yard utilisation is being experienced at all terminals.
- Festive Season closure:
- Christmas closing – 24/12 @ 14:00 to 25/12 @ 14:00 (voluntary work)
- New Year’s closing – 31/12 @ 14:00 – 01/01 @14:00 (voluntary work)
FRANCE
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Le Havre port.
Festive Season closure:
– Le Havre: Christmas closing: 24/12 15:00 – 26/12 06:00; New Year’s closing: 31/12 15:00 – 02/01 06:00
GERMANY
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Hamburg and 1 day at Bremerhaven.
- Yard utilisation is high, but operations are normal.
- Festive Season closure:
– Hamburg
Christmas closing: 24/12 12:30 – 26/12 07:00 (voluntary work)
New Year’s closing: 31/12 12:30 – 02/01 07:00
– Bremerhaven
Christmas closing: 24/12 12:30 – 26/12 07:00 (voluntary work)
New Year’s closing: 31/12 12:30 – 02/01 07:00
ITALY
- Terminals are congested with berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Genova and 1 day at La Spezia port.
NETHERLANDS
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Rotterdam port.
- Festive Season closure:
– ECT/DELTA II:
Christmas closing: 24/12 15:15 – 26/12 07:15
New Year’s closing: 31/12 15:15 – 01/01 15:15
– RWG:
Christmas closing: 24/12 15:00 – 26/12 07:00
New Year’s closing: 31/12 15:00 – 01/01 15:00
– APTM MVII:
Christmas closing: 24/12 15:00 – 27/12 07:00
New Year’s closing: 31/12 15:00 – 01/01 15:00
SPAIN
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Barcelona port.
TURKEY
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Istanbul port and 6 days at Izmir port.
UNITED KINGDOM
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at London Gateway port.
- Carrier scheduling has been problematic at London Gateway and amendments to schedules and vessel omissions have resulted in loading delays. Lead times will be impacted by these delays.
- Festive Season closure:
– Christmas closing: 24/12 18:00 – 27/12 06:00
– New Year’s closing: 31/12 18:00 – 01/01 10:00
MIDDLE EAST AND INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT
Air Freight
Exports: Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays – with the exceptions of Emirates and Qatar.
Sea Freight
INDIA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Nhava Sheva and 2 days at Chennai.
SRI LANKA
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Colombo port.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Jebel Ali.
- Notice applicable to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
In accordance with instructions issued by the Industrial Security Department at Jeddah port; it is mandatory to attach the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to every pallet container chemical / DG materials before shipment. Shippers to ensure that the MSDS is properly affixed and clearly visible on each pallet being moved into Jeddah. The Industrial Security team has advised that any shipment identified without the required MSDS, financial penalties may be applied in accordance with the applicable safety regulations.
ASIA PACIFIC (Including Oceania)
Air Freight
Exports: Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
Capacity has eased in the Asia Pacific region and freight rates soften into December.
HONG KONG
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
NANSHA / GUANGZHOU
- Berthing delays of 0 days experienced at this port.
NINGBO
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
QINGDAO
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at this port. Vessel bunching and congestion being experienced.
SHANGHAI
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at this port. Heavy vessel bunching and congestion being experienced.
SHEKOU / SHENZHEN
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Shekou and 1 day at Yantian ports.
- Delays anticipated due to poor weather conditions and vessel bunching in Shekou.
- Due to tightening Customs controls in Shenzhen; containers are being detained by Chinese Customs for inspections. Containers are moved to General Administration Custom for inspection, and this may take 1 to 2 weeks for the inspection and release of the container.
- Every effort is made to ensure full Customs compliance and to have containers released as soon as possible.
XIAMEN
- Berthing delays of 14 days experienced at this port.
XINGANG / TIANJIN
- Berthing delay of 3 days experienced at this port.
SINGAPORE
- Berthing delays of 1 day being experienced at this port. Increase in vessel bunching is expected over the weekend and week to come.
KOREA
- Berthing delays of 1 day (KRPUS) and 5 days (KRBNP – New Port) experienced at Busan port. Mega vessel bunching is creating some congestion at PNIT Terminal.
TAIWAN
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Kaohsiung and 1 day at Keelung ports.
THAILAND
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Bangkok and 1 day at Laem Chabang ports.
NEWS ARTICLES
Transnet–ICTSI Deal Marks Landmark Shift in SA Port Operations
10/12/2025
Transnet and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) have signed a 25-year partnership to operate and upgrade Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2, marking South Africa’s first major private-sector participation in container terminal management. The agreement, effective 1 January, establishes a new operating entity in which Transnet holds 51% and ICTSI 49%, with ICTSI assuming operational control and investing approximately R11 billion to expand terminal capacity from 2 million to 2.8 million TEUs annually.
The partnership aims to significantly improve port performance, including increasing gross crane moves per hour from 18 to 28 and doubling ship working hours. Transnet group CEO Michelle Phillips said Pier 2’s performance was already improving due to recent equipment investments, with the citrus season showing a 28.8% year-on-year improvement. The agreement forms part of government’s broader logistics reform agenda to modernise key assets and reduce national logistics costs.
ICTTI senior vice president Hans-Ole Madsen described the deal as a transformative long-term investment, highlighting ICTSI’s 37 years of global terminal-management experience across 19 countries. The investment is expected to boost regional trade, support job creation, and cut logistics costs by up to 15–30%. The deal proceeded after a court challenge by APM Terminals was dismissed in October.
Both Transnet and ICTSI emphasised collaboration with labour unions and committed to submitting a broad-based black economic empowerment plan within four months. With DCT Pier 2 handling 72% of Durban’s container throughput and 46% of South Africa’s container volumes, the partnership is seen as a pivotal step in revitalising port performance and strengthening the country’s global trade competitiveness. Source
BMA Extends Operating Hours to Ease Festive-Season Border Pressures
08/12/2025
South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has launched its 2025/26 festive-season operational plan, aimed at improving border efficiency and curbing the smuggling of illicit goods. Running from 10 December 2025 to 15 January 2026, the plan focuses on managing high traffic volumes while strengthening enforcement amid rising cross-border criminal activity, including illegal migration and organised smuggling networks.
The BMA has expanded its presence at key seaports—Mossel Bay, Ngqura, Richards Bay and East London—through permanent coastal guard deployments. Between July and September 2025, the BMA intercepted 15 suspected stolen vehicles, adding to 349 seized since July 2022. Confiscations during the period also included counterfeit goods worth R1.28 million and illicit cigarettes valued at R827 500, alongside narcotics such as crystal meth and heroin.
To reduce congestion and truck queues, the BMA is extending operating hours at several non-24/7 land ports in coordination with neighbouring countries. Ports affected include Groblersbrug and Swartkopfontein (Botswana), Kosibay (Mozambique), Mahamba, Jeppes Reef and Mananga (eSwatini), and multiple Lesotho crossings such as Sani Pass and Caledonspoort. These temporary extensions target traditionally high-volume dates and are expected to ease pressure at key transit points such as Beitbridge, Lebombo and Oshoek.
The BMA is working with freight, agriculture and shipping associations on a cost-recovery model to support enhanced operations, while SANRAL will assist with traffic-flow management. Importers and exporters are reminded that full biosecurity compliance remains mandatory, including permits and phytosanitary certification. Commissioner Michael Masiapato emphasised that enforcement will be intensified and warned that non-compliance or criminal activity will result in arrests as the BMA aims to deliver a seamless peak-season operation. Source
Maritime Chokepoint Disruptions Pose $14bn Annual Risk to Global Trade
06/12/2025
A University of Oxford study has found that disruptions at major maritime chokepoints pose a significant threat to global supply chains, with an estimated $192 billion in trade affected annually and $14 billion in related economic losses. These losses arise from delays, rerouting, higher insurance premiums, and increased freight costs. Countries such as Egypt, Yemen, Iraq and Panama are among the most exposed due to their reliance on vulnerable passages, though impacts ultimately ripple across global transport networks and consumer markets.
The research highlights how interconnected risks — including armed conflict, piracy, terrorism, and natural hazards — frequently overlap, making rerouting difficult and amplifying the economic fallout. Lead author Dr. Jasper Verschuur emphasised that global trade depends on a small number of narrow maritime corridors, meaning disruptions can quickly cascade across continents. The study, Systemic Impacts of Disruptions at Maritime Chokepoints, was published in Nature Communications by researchers from Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute. Source
How Maritime Chokepoints Shape Global Freight Risk and Forwarder Responsibilities
21/08/2025
Maritime chokepoints—narrow, high-traffic waterways such as the Suez Canal, Panama Canal, and Strait of Hormuz—play an outsized role in global trade, carrying significant volumes of containerised cargo and energy products. Their strategic importance means that any disruption, whether from conflict, weather, or infrastructure limitations, immediately impacts transit times, carrier schedules, and freight costs. Recent events, including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and drought-related Panama Canal restrictions, have highlighted how quickly these vital routes can become bottlenecks.
When a chokepoint slows or closes, the effects ripple far beyond the immediate region. Blockages can trigger weeks of supply-chain instability, as seen during the 2021 Suez Canal incident that stranded hundreds of vessels and added up to 12 days to rerouted transit times. Disruptions commonly lead to unpredictable ETAs, container repositioning delays, vessel bunching, blank sailings, and rate volatility. These knock-on effects reach ports, warehouses, and inland logistics networks, often leaving freight forwarders to manage customer expectations and operational fallout.
To navigate these challenges, forwarders depend on partners who can provide flexibility and reliable communication. Key requirements during disruption include:
- Access to multiple carriers and routing options
- Flexible space and allocation strategies
- Early and accurate schedule updates
- Operational support for documentation and inland adjustments
- Practical, experience-based responses without overpromising
Forwarders also benefit from partners with strong global networks and disciplined internal systems. Predictability and resilience are built long before a crisis, through diversified carrier relationships, stable operational frameworks, and consistent communication practices.
Maritime chokepoints will remain critical—and vulnerable—components of global trade. For forwarders, the ability to mitigate risk depends on preparation, diversified routing options, and reliable partners capable of maintaining stability when strategic waterways are disrupted. Source
US House Committee to Vote on AGOA Extension Amid South Africa Uncertainty
11/12/2025
A key US congressional committee is set to vote on a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the preferential trade programme that underpins US–sub-Saharan Africa trade. The Act, which expired on 30 September after 25 years, has supported hundreds of thousands of jobs across the continent. However, South Africa’s continued inclusion is uncertain as tensions with the Trump administration escalate.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that while the administration would consider a one-year extension, South Africa poses a “unique problem,” citing persistent concerns over tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US goods. Pretoria rejects these claims, arguing US tariff assessments rely on inaccurate data. The current draft of the AGOA Extension Act includes no specific provisions protecting South Africa’s eligibility.
While the House Ways and Means Committee prepares to vote, a separate bipartisan Senate bill proposes a two-year extension paired with a formal review of US–South Africa relations. The bill has yet to advance. Meanwhile, political strains continue to grow following repeated criticism from President Trump of South Africa’s land-reform agenda and equity-focused legislation.
Since 2000, AGOA has significantly expanded trade with the US, boosting non-oil exports from $1.4 billion to $10.3 billion by 2024. For South Africa, the programme remains crucial: R68 billion in duty-free exports entered the US market in 2024, supporting an estimated 70 000 jobs. South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition says it remains committed to securing the nation’s continued participation. Source
US Tariffs Undercut South Africa’s Black Friday Export Surge
09/12/2025
New US tariffs have severely disrupted Black Friday export volumes for South African small businesses, according to the SME Export Index. Historically, South African exporters saw a strong November spike, with 2024 Black Friday shipments to the US rising about 60% above average monthly volumes. In 2025, however, shipments fell 46% below the monthly average and 66% year-on-year after the US imposed new tariffs and removed the $800 de minimis threshold that previously allowed low-value parcels to enter duty-free. Industry leaders describe the impact as “catastrophic,” with many SMEs losing a crucial revenue peak that typically supports their annual turnover.
Exporters say the tariffs disproportionately affect small businesses that cannot absorb additional costs and must instead pass them on to US consumers. As a result, South African products were less competitive during the key holiday shopping period, with reduced demand expected to continue into December and early 2026. With the tariff policy still in effect and awaiting a ruling from the US Supreme Court of Appeals, SMEs reliant on US sales are bracing for a difficult festive season and a challenging year ahead. Source
China’s Record Trade Surplus Drives Major Shifts in Global Container Flows
09/12/2025
China’s trade surplus exceeded $1 trillion in the first 11 months of 2025, marking a historic high and signalling a major realignment in global container movements. While China-US trade has fallen nearly 29% this year due to tariffs, near-shoring and weakened US demand, Chinese customs data shows that overall export strength remains intact.
The decline in transpacific volumes has been counterbalanced by surging exports to Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Russia-adjacent markets and South Asia. Liner operators on these routes have reported double-digit growth, prompting carriers to introduce extra-loaders, upgrade services and cascade larger vessels. Bookings to Europe are up 10–15%, Africa 20–25%, and ASEAN markets 6–8%, while US-bound bookings are down 8–12%.
Analysts describe 2025 as a decisive year in China’s “geographic pivot” away from tariff-exposed US markets. Experts including Lars Jensen and Peter Sand note that China has been able to redirect export flows effectively, accelerating long-term diversification strategies that have been under development for more than a decade. Carriers have responded by reshaping networks rapidly, reflecting one of the most significant structural shifts seen in container shipping.
Economists argue that globalisation is not reversing but reconfiguring. Manufacturing is increasingly shifting from China to other low-cost countries, and emerging markets continue to drive new demand patterns. As a result, container routes are lengthening, networks are becoming more complex, and overall shipping demand may increase. China’s record surplus ultimately underscores not a decline in export capability, but a fundamental re-wiring of global trade flows. Source
SOURCES & REFERENCES
SACO CFR | Hapag Lloyd | Maersk | MSC | Transnet | The LoadStar Publications | gCaptain.com | Shipco Transport | Splash247.com | Freightnews | Seatrade Maritime News | Automotive Logistics | Lloyds List
Again, the Inter-Sped team is here for all freight and Logistics needs – We will always do our best for you and keep you posted on your shipments progress on an individual shipment level.
Thank you for choosing Inter-Sped.
JJ & The Inter-Sped Team
