Caspnet

Tariff turmoil triggers DHL suspension of some shipments DHL has announced a suspension of certain shipments to the US due to a regulatory shift in US customs requirements. The measure, effective from April 21, affects business-to-consumer (B2C) parcels destined for private individuals with a declared value above $800. The move follows the US government's decision to lower the threshold for formal customs clearance from $2,500 to $800, which has significantly increased the volume of parcels requiring detailed processing. DHL emphasized that the suspension was necessary to uphold its service standards while managing the intensified customs workload. The temporary halt applies exclusively to high-value shipments addressed to private individuals. The implications for the global e-commerce sector remain uncertain, with some analysts expecting a significant downturn in shipment volumes, while others argue that the low cost of many goods from Asia may cushion the blow. Read more:https://zurl.co/ZJOIU

Freight industry awaits Port of Cape Town wind report South Africa's logistics and supply chain industry is awaiting further information on wind ferocity and gusting patterns affecting freight movement in Table Bay, following academic research by the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University of Stellenbosch. The final report, compiled by the CSIR and the University of Stellenbosch, was given to South Africa's ports' landlord at least two weeks ago. The study aims to predict wind patterns according to patterns. Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) is said to be aware of the findings, but the industry is unsure how it will change anything. The study aims to harness intelligence about wind prediction and how to deal with related disruptions. Read More: https://zurl.co/Ibia7

Transporters continue with hazardous pollution in Komatipoort Transporters are dumping coal ash near the R571 highway in Komatipoort, South Africa, posing a threat to the area's fresh-water ecology. Cobus Botha, head of the local Nkomazi East agricultural association, has been concerned about the danger of coal ash leaching into the river before its confluence with the Crocodile River. Local authorities seem to accept using coal ash as fill-in material for ditches and holes next to the R571. Botha calls for bulk cargo depots in the area to be held responsible for creating a problem for the community. Coal ash and dust can contain heavy metals such as arsenic, selenium, mercury, chromium, barium, and antimony, which can contaminate freshwater sources. These pollutants can be highly toxic to aquatic organisms, causing long-term harm to fish populations, reducing biodiversity, and increasing acidity and salinity in freshwater systems. Exposure to coal ash contaminants can increase the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and systemic inflammation. Read more:https://zurl.co/f8nHd

DP World opens new Walvis Bay warehouse DP World has opened a $2 million temperature-controlled distribution facility in Walvis Bay, Namibia, to meet rising demand for food service supply. The $2 million facility, part of DP World's expansion strategy in the region, will increase storage and occupational resources capacity by 50%. The facility, which features 720 pallets, will also include a new office building. Seapride Foods Coastal, a leading regional distributor, has grown from a modest seafood supplier to a leading regional distributor serving Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa. The facility aims to optimize efficiency, enhance product integrity, and expand capacity to meet customer demands. Read more: https://zurl.co/DvUhb

Port workers warn of strike as Transnet wage talks fail The United National Transport Union (Untu) has warned that port workers could embark on industrial action that could bring container movements to a halt and cost the economy billions of rands. The union and Transnet reached a deadlock in wage negotiations in the 2025/26 salary and wage negotiations after an attempt at conciliation through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) failed. Untu General Secretary Cobus van Vuuren said the negotiations had reached a definitive conclusion and the deadlock stood. Transnet's final wage offer included a 6% wage increase in 2025 and 2026 and a 5.5% raise in 5.5%. However, the agreement still excludes a clause preventing mandatory retrenchments, and management continues to refuse to include such a clause to protect job security. Untu General Secretary Cobus van Vuuren said the time has come to mobilise and negotiate on the streets. Read more:https://zurl.co/dE2Ot

MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL: Clock’s ticking to object to cabotage South Africa's government has extended the deadline for local shippers, freight forwarding communities, and liner trade to object to the Merchant Shipping Bill, which aims to in-shoring cargo movement along the country's coastline. The bill, known as "cabotage," would involve a hub port system, causing double-handling of cargo and multimodal complexity, leading to further supply chain delays. Exporters Western Cape (EWC) chairperson Terry Gale warned that cabotage would be catastrophic for the freight industry, as it would result in the formation of another state-owned entity. The bill's specific cabotage section includes powers and duties of the minister and the South African Maritime Safety Authority, registration, permitting, licensing of ships, and the establishment of a shipping information center. Critics argue that government-sanctioned control of coastal cargo movement by an appointed independent shipping line or a new line funded by a public sector entity will be open to abuse. Read more: https://zurl.co/JvJyg

US import cargo levels to drop Import cargo at the US main container ports is expected to drop dramatically from May, according to a Global Port Tracker report. Despite President Trump's announcement that he had suspended tariffs for 90 days on over 75 of the US's trading partners, except for China, a baseline 10% tariff will still be imposed on all imports to the country. This removes the benefits of trade deals and duty-free arrangements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which gave 32 African countries, including South Africa, competitive access to the US market. Retailers have been bringing merchandise into the country for months in attempts to mitigate against rising tariffs, but that opportunity has come to an end with the imposition of'reciprocal' tariffs. Imports during the second half of 2025 were expected to be down at least 20% year-on-year, potentially bringing total 2025 cargo volume to a net decline of 15% or more unless the situation changes. Read more:https://zurl.co/uTOu1

Transnet meeting fails to break wage deadlock The United National Transport Union (Untu) and Transnet have met to resolve wage deadlock, but no mutually beneficial agreement was reached. Untu filed a mutual interest dispute with Transnet Bargaining Council after rejecting the employer's final offer of a 6% wage increase in 2025 and 2026 followed by 5.5% in 2027. The union's general secretary, Cobus van Vuuren, said the meeting was intended to explore possible solutions to break the deadlock in the 2025/26 salary and wage negotiations. The conciliation process will proceed at the Transnet Bargaining Council on 14 April. Read more: https://zurl.co/flkpl

US tariffs on South African citrus will harm both countries The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has called on the South African government to negotiate with the US on tariff reductions or exemptions on citrus imports to the country. The CGA believes that the 30% reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Trump, which come into effect on 9 April, would hurt South African citrus farms and the rural communities they supported. The CGA is calling for immediate negotiations to avoid job and revenue losses in the citrus industry, South Africa's largest agricultural export industry. The additional 30% tariff will make South African citrus uncompetitive in the US market, as only the baseline US tariff of 10% will be levied on South Africa's citrus competitors, mostly in South America. The CGA believes that citrus should be on the White House's exemption list as it is seasonal, supports US health and the US citrus industry, and helps keep food inflation down. Read more:https://zurl.co/sedee

Transnet warns union against industrial action South Africa's state-owned logistics utility, Transnet, has warned the United National Transport Union (Untu) against unprotected industrial action following a mutual interest dispute with the Transnet Bargaining Council. Untu has put Transnet on 48 hours' notice, demanding clarification on how the final wage offer will be implemented for bargaining unit employees. The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union accepted Transnet's offer of a 6% wage increase in 2025 and 2026 and 5.5% in 2027. Transnet will implement the final offer for Satawu members and all other bargaining unit employees not members of Untu. Transnet has requested Untu to communicate to its members that any strike action or industrial action before the mutual interest dispute is concluded will be unprotected. Transnet remains committed to the collective bargaining process and is willing to resolve outstanding issues with Untu in the interests of employees, the company, and the country. Read more: https://zurl.co/RRTZ2