Africa is a growth continent and nowhere is that more visible than in its logistics and port systems. Major concessions, fresh private-sector investment and infrastructure upgrades are reshaping gateway ports across the region, accelerating trade flows and unlocking new commodity and export opportunities. Amid this momentum, logistics players are repositioning to serve a more diverse, corridor- driven market. Stuart Duncan, group commercial executive at J J Africa, says the strategy now is flexibility across multiple routes. We are offering our customers multi-corridor logistics optionality and solutions, giving them flexibility in their supply chains, he told Freight News. Walvis Bay, Dar es Salaam and Maputo corridors are relatively new for us, compared with traditional routes such as Beira and Durban where we have long-standing operations. We are also actively looking at Africas future medium- to long-term needs in areas such as energy and perishable exports and how we can support the development of resilient supply chains to move these goods efficiently. According to Duncan, the wave of port concessions and terminal upgrades across the region is already reshaping the operating environment. We are seeing significant port infrastructure improvements in several markets, which is highly encouraging, he said. These investments will support increased trade, but it is critical that the entire supply chain keeps pace. Enhancements at the port cant result in new bottlenecks further down the corridor. Efficiency has to flow end-to-end. Beyond ports, Duncan points to a broader transformation under way across Africas logistics ecosystem. Rail concessions and investments are gathering momentum across multiple corridors, and digitalisation of processes is also encouraging to see, he said. We are observing stronger regional integration, more focus on multimodal solutions, and a shift toward tech- enabled operations. These are key signals of a maturing logistics environment. While the overall outlook remains positive, with many African markets showing strong potential, port capacity improving, road and rail networks expanding and manual processes steadily shifting to digital platforms, many challenges persist. Our aim is always to move goods as quickly and efficiently as possible, because faster, more reliable logistics directly reduces costs and ultimately benefits consumers, said Duncan. For that to happen, we need well-developed road and rail infrastructure that works hand- in-hand, efficient and predictable border processes, and continued progress in digitalisation, including the adoption of blockchain-based solutions. These elements are essential if the continent is to unlock the full value of its growing trade corridors. LV
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The facility aims to run three trains daily between Estcourt and the Port of Durban in the near future.
