The EIT Freight Village exploits a geographic quirk: rail and road run parallel from Durban to Estcourt, but diverge at the escarpment. Rail detours around the mountains while the N3 climbs Van Reenen’s Pass directly. By transferring containers at Estcourt, operators combine rail efficiency on the flat coastal section with truck agility for the final 180km climb.
Five Logistics Shifts to Watch in 2026: What They Mean for Cold Chain
Unitrans has identified five market-wide shifts set to reshape African logistics in 2026, with significant implications for cold chain operators. Drawing on insights from the African Development Bank, World Bank, and AfCFTA Secretariat, the analysis highlights digital transformation, sustainability mandates, regional integration, e-commerce growth, and supply chain resilience as the defining trends.
Volvo Delivers First Electric Trucks for Cold Chain in South Africa
Volvo Trucks South Africa delivered two battery-electric FH 6×4 tractors to Vector Logistics in March 2025, marking the fleet’s first net-zero cold chain rigs. This deployment represents a significant milestone in the decarbonization of South Africa’s refrigerated transport sector, demonstrating that electric vehicle technology can meet the demanding requirements of temperature-controlled logistics. The battery-electric tractors are equipped to handle heavy-duty…
New Transport Regulation Creates Single Economic Regulator
South Africa’s Economic Regulation of Transport Act was promulgated into law on June 11, 2024, establishing a single Transport Economic Regulator (TER) to oversee all modes of transport including road, rail, maritime, and aviation Norton Rose Fulbright. The TER will be the sole price-regulating authority across the transport sector, consolidating previously fragmented frameworks for ports, airports, and roads Norton Rose…
Maersk Completes R1.7 Billion Cold Chain Investment with Belcon Facility Opening
Global logistics giant Maersk has completed its R1.72 billion cold chain infrastructure investment in South Africa with the opening of the R800 million Belcon Cold Store facility in Cape Town. The facility adds 32,000 pallet positions and includes an on-site container depot, directly addressing the R1.5 billion in annual losses South Africa’s grape industry faces from broken cold chains. Together…