How does South Africa improve its transport system so it can actually support economic growth, lower costs for business, and deliver on its export ambitions..??
This question took centre stage at the 43rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference in Pretoria, where the Honorable Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy set out concrete targets to overhaul the country’s freight, logistics, and transport sectors..
Minister Creecy was clear in her opening remarks stressing that an optimally functioning transport system “is a cornerstone for achieving our national objectives of inclusive economic growth, social development, and building a capable state.”
In this regard, the Minister outlined six clear targets that will guide the Department of Transport’s work over the next four years to transform the passenger, freight, and aviation sectors..
The plan presented by the Minister puts 6 targets
- Freight Rail Target: Move 250 million tonnes of freight annually on the Transnet network by 2029 to strengthen South Africa’s logistics backbone..
- Port Efficiency Target: Achieve 30 gross crane moves per hour when loading and unloading container ships to meet international standards and stay globally competitive..
- Passenger Rail Target: Provide safe, reliable, and affordable transport with a goal of 600 million passenger journeys per year by 2030..
- Aviation Passenger Target: Reach 42 million passengers per year through the ACSA airport network by the end of this political term to boost tourism and economic growth..
- Airfreight Target: Move 1.2 million tonnes of airfreight annually through ACSA airports, making South Africa a stronger player in regional and international trade..
- Road Safety Target: Reduce road fatalities by 45% by 2029, aligned with the UN goal of halving road deaths by 2030, with a focus on reducing pedestrian deaths (currently 44% of fatalities)..
Responding to a question by Shipping and Freight Resource about the timeline to achieve the 30 moves/crane/hour and whether this can be achieved without private sector involvement, Minister Creecy said
“We are recommissioning new ship-to-shore cranes and RTGs in Durban and Cape Town, with work already done in Port Elizabeth. With this new equipment, we can lift average gross crane moves from around 16 to far more competitive levels.
Cape Town’s new equipment should start coming online in August, and in Durban we have already recommissioned some at Pier 1 and Pier 2, aiming for new units every eight weeks.
But this is not just about individual cranes. Our entire port system needs a major revamp to move beyond 20th-century models.
We need modern logistics technology, better processing, tracking, and container movement to truly compete with the world’s best terminals.”
A serious agenda – and a challenge for industry
Minister Creecy’s speech was clear-eyed about both ambition and limitations..
While targets like 250 million tonnes of freight on rail and 30 moves per hour at ports are necessary for South Africa’s trade competitiveness, they will only be met through disciplined execution, private sector partnership, and genuine operational reform..
Minister Creecy ended by underscoring the vital role of transport in South Africa’s future. “A fully integrated transport system lies at the heart of any nation’s development.
It is the artery through which progress flows, connecting communities, facilitating trade, and enabling access to opportunities.
Our responsibility – as role players in the transport sector – is immense. We hold the key to unlocking the full potential of our nation’s economy,” she concluded..
All eyes are on the achievement of these targets and promises..
Stay tuned here for further insights from the Southern African Transport Conference 2025 in Pretoria..
