Unpredictable vessel schedules, tighter compliance enforcement and fragmented freight coordination are emerging as bigger risks than congestion alone.
South African importers and exporters are facing a more complex logistics environment, where port congestion is only one part of the challenge.
While terminal delays continue to dominate headlines, industry experts warn that the most immediate risks lie deeper within the freight chain. Volatile vessel schedules, fragmented handovers and documentation misalignment are increasingly causing disruptions that only become visible after cargo arrives.
Cargo that appears to be moving smoothly can quickly become problematic when schedules shift or regulatory requirements tighten without warning.
“Cargo can move from ‘on track’ to ‘at risk’ very quickly,” says Taylor Marais, co founder of Titan Tides Logistics. “When vessel windows shift or cut offs change, planning and delivery commitments are immediately affected. The biggest failures happen when no single party owns the shipment end to end.”
This lack of ownership has become increasingly costly as regulatory scrutiny intensifies. While missing paperwork has long been a known risk, many of today’s delays stem from documentation that exists but does not align across invoices, packing lists, permits and transport records.
These inconsistencies frequently trigger inspections; clearance holds and unplanned storage charges once cargo has already arrived.
“There is far less tolerance for post arrival corrections,” Marais explains. “Classification, declared use and end use are being scrutinised upfront, with clear audit trails expected.”
The impact is particularly severe for high value or specialised cargo, including vehicles, industrial machinery and capital equipment.
In these cases, even minor compliance discrepancies can lead to extended inspections, compounded storage fees and significant financial exposure.
Lorraine Candy, co founder of Titan Tides Logistics, highlights another recurring challenge, misalignment between origin and destination partners.
“Export legs may run smoothly, but import side requirements are not always confirmed early enough,” she notes. “Once cargo lands, shipments become reactive rather than controlled.”
This reactive posture leaves businesses scrambling to resolve issues under pressure, often with limited options and rising costs. As vessel schedules remain unpredictable and port performance uneven, these vulnerabilities are expected to persist.
Industry forecasts suggest that over the next 12 to 18 months, South African supply chains will continue to face schedule volatility alongside stricter enforcement from authorities.
In this environment, businesses that embed compliance and coordination into their planning processes rather than treating them as last minute hurdles are far better positioned to maintain resilience.
“Technology gives visibility,” Candy adds, “but people still prevent disruptions by intervening early and clarifying intent before issues escalate.”
As the freight landscape continues to evolve, the implications for South African businesses are becoming increasingly clear. Proactive coordination, accurate documentation and end to end ownership are no longer optional. For South African manufacturers, retailers and industrial shippers, these elements may prove to be the difference between cargo that flows and cargo that stalls.