SA Container Throughput Recovers as Border Delays Drive Costs

South Africa's container throughput is showing recovery signals, indicating growing trade activity at the nation's key port terminals. However, this positive momentum is being significantly offset by mounting delays at border checkpoints, which are creating costly disruptions to supply chain continuity. For supply chain professionals, this represents a classic paradox: improved port productivity is being undermined by infrastructure constraints in cross-border operations, effectively negating capacity gains and driving up total landed costs.

The border delays appear to stem from inspection backlogs, documentation processing, and possibly limited customs resources—factors that create cascading effects throughout the supply chain. Importers and exporters face extended dwell times, increased inventory carrying costs, and potential service level failures. This situation is particularly acute for time-sensitive commodities and just-in-time supply chains that rely on predictable lead times.

The strategic implication is clear: regional supply chain resilience in Southern Africa remains dependent not just on port infrastructure investment, but on synchronized border facilitation and customs modernization. Companies operating in or through South Africa should reassess their inventory buffers, rerouting options, and supplier agreements to account for these persistent delays. The rebound in container volumes suggests the market is returning to normalcy, but the cost structure for intra-regional trade has effectively increased.