Industry under perpetual structural strain, survey finds

Freight flows across southern Africa are not in crisis, but they are not improving either. That was the central message that emerged from a Freight News cross-border survey, which paints a picture of an industry operating under persistent structural strain. Responses suggest that while catastrophic congestion may not be defining the early months of 2026, structural inefficiencies remain firmly embedded in the system. Operators appear to have adjusted to what many describe as a new normal, one characterised by volatility rather than progress. The survey also showed that while cargo crime and security concerns remained real risks, operators were increasingly pointing to procedural bottlenecks as the primary drivers of delay. When asked about the biggest risks over the next six to 12 months, respondents frequently referenced predictability. Concerns included regulatory tightening, inconsistent inspection practices, corridor volatility, cargo availability, particularly on mining-linked routes and administrative system disruptions. The recurring theme was uncertainty. Operators appear less concerned about a single catastrophic event and more about variability and inconsistency. Taken together, the survey results suggest a sector that has adapted to pressure rather than overcome it. The survey showed that cross-border freight at present was characterised by stability without clear improvement, persistent process inefficiencies, structural cost escalation, increasing customer sensitivity to cost and a growing emphasis on visibility and predictability. This is not a crisis narrative, but nor is it a recovery narrative. Instead, it reflects a sector demonstrating operational resilience within constrained structural conditions. The survey found that for transporters and forwarders, process management and compliance expertise were becoming competitive advantages. Operators able to navigate inspection regimes and documentation requirements more efficiently may gain an edge in protecting margins. For importers and exporters, cross-border logistics remains a cost-sensitive environment. Greater scrutiny of route selection, border performance and compliance strategies will be required to manage landed cost exposure. For border authorities, the survey highlights inspection coordination, congestion management and system reliability as key intervention areas. Procedural streamlining could deliver meaningful improvements in corridor performance. For technology providers, the growing emphasis on visibility and predictability suggests increasing demand for digital tracking, compliance automation and corridor performance analytics. LV