Infrastructure investment, economic stability and rising investor confidence are positioning South Africa’s bulk logistics sector for greater resilience and strategic importance in supporting regional growth, particularly as mining output rises and trade corridors expand.
Industry indicators point to 2026 as a pivotal year, with emerging trends influencing the efficient movement of goods from pit to port and across borders.
Reinhardt Transport Group marketing manager, Duhan du Plessis, has identified four key trends the company believes will shape the sector this year, including growing demand from the mining sector.
“Demand for critical minerals, such as manganese, chrome and lithium, is expected to increase considerably by 2030, and possibly quadruple by 2040.
“This growth will continue to place pressure on South Africa’s logistics networks, with demand for reliable delivery from mine to port. The ability to move bulk commodities efficiently is vital to unlocking long-term value in this sector.”
The second trend focuses on building supply chain resilience amid climate volatility and infrastructure challenges.
Recent floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga exemplify extreme weather patterns that are expected to intensify, compounded by ageing infrastructure and port congestion. This will lead to more frequent delays unless resilience is prioritised.
“Across the bulk logistics sector, the need for in-house control and rapid response capabilities is becoming increasingly evident to ensure supply chains keep moving despite external challenges,” Du Plessis said.
He said technological integration was now a necessity rather than an option. The adoption of truck management systems, geofencing, employee tracking, live fuel monitoring, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things enabled data-driven decisions, route optimisation and predictive maintenance to avoid breakdowns and delays.
Digital platforms under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are also streamlining cross-border trade through faster customs and e-payments.
“Across the sector, technology is transforming how bulk transport is managed, allowing operators to move from reactive problem-solving to predictive planning,” he said.
Additionally, environmental accountability is evolving from an added value to a core operational requirement.
“Globally, there is increasing demand from customers, investors, and regulators for industries to display transparency in their carbon emissions and resource efficiency,” said Du Plessis.
Practical measures such as fuel-efficient tyres, optimised fleet use, and water recycling are delivering results.
He said Reinhardt reported cutting 10 962 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2024 through such interventions.
“Companies are now required to do more than just pledge, and this is particularly evident in the bulk logistics sector. Environmental accountability is a regulatory condition, customer demand and a bottom-line requirement.”
