With elections bringing fresh uncertainty to the rand and Black Friday fast approaching, South African importers face a difficult balancing act. Currency volatility, port delays and pressure on consumer spending are complicating peak-season planning.
In this week's episode of Importers Connect, Vernon Sinden and Dr Greg Cline unpack the implications for landed costs, the growing reliance on air freight and whether anticipated fuel price relief could offer businesses some breathing room.
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Vernon Sinden
Head of Logistics, Investec Business and Commercial Banking
With over 20 years in the freight forwarding industry, Vernon Sinden has cultivated a deep expertise in logistics, supply chain management, and international trade. Starting in the courier sector, he developed skills in customs compliance and transportation management before moving to leading multinational freight forwarding companies, focusing on trade and carrier procurement.
Vernon has successfully managed complex logistics operations, built strong stakeholder relationships, and implemented innovative solutions to enhance efficiency.
Dr Greg Cline
Working Capital Specialist, Investec Business and Commercial Banking
Dr Greg Cline provides insight on business and commercial banking, economic trends, international trade, supply chains and business strategy. Working closely with South African businesses, he helps organisations navigate changing market conditions, manage risk and identify opportunities for sustainable growth. His commentary explores the economic forces, trade dynamics and supply chain developments shaping business performance, offering practical perspectives on resilience, competitiveness and growth in South Africa and global markets.
Listen to previous episodes
What does another US$700 per container cost you?
Your next shipment could cost more before it even leaves port.
From 1 November, average ocean freight rates from Shanghai to Durban are expected to rise by around US$700 per container. But the real cost goes beyond the freight invoice.
Longer lead times, urgent replacement stock and cash tied up in transit can quickly change the margin on orders you’ve already committed to.
In this week’s Importers’ Connect, Vernon Sinden and Francois Herman discuss what importers should recalculate before confirming their next booking.
The cost of standing still
When shipments stall, cash stays tied up. From scarce shipping space in China to queues off Durban, delays are stretching the gap between paying suppliers and getting paid.
In this week’s Importers’ Connect, Francois Hermann and Vernon Sinden examine the squeeze on working capital, whether premium freight is worth the price and why stock and cash flow need to be planned together.
China shipping delays: The cost to South African importers
Shipping delays in China, rising fuel costs and cancelled sailings are putting pressure on South African importers.
In this week’s Importers’ Connect, Francois Herman and Vernon Sinden explore what these disruptions mean for delivery times and landed costs, and how businesses can plan ahead to avoid stock shortages.
Can Durban’s port reset deliver?
Durban’s port has plans for a reset. Will importers feel the difference?
In this week’s Importers’ Connect, Francois Herman and Vernon Sinden examine how a planned truck booking system, terminal upgrades and greater use of rail could ease delays and improve delivery planning.
They also explore the proposed Coega Manganese Export Corridor and what private investment could mean for South Africa’s trade.
The logistics beyond the port
In this week’s episode of Importers’ Connect, Vernon Sinden and Francois Herman explore how rail reliability affects delivery timing, working capital and landed costs, alongside peak-season surcharges, Golden Week disruptions and practical ways to strengthen your supply chain and plan with greater certainty.
Better Visibility. Better decisions
Many importers are still reacting to disruptions after they happen
In this week's Importers' Connect, we explore how better data is helping businesses get ahead of problems.
Topics include:
- digital integration
- real-time shipment visibility
- better supply-chain data
Importing into a slower economy
Rising imports may signal opportunity, but higher fuel costs and constrained logistics leave little room for error. Vernon Sinden and Francois Herman explain how importers can manage freight, inventory, landed costs and cash flow more effectively.
The Red Sea is reopening, but supply chain risks remain
As shipping lines cautiously return to the Red Sea, Vernon Sinden and Francious Herman examine what the shift could mean for freight rates, transit times and supply chains. They also explain why South African importers should maintain longer lead times, diversify routes and carriers, and prepare for continued disruption.
The long way to cheaper freight
In this week's Importers Connect, Vernon Sinden and Francois Herman unpack the latest developments. They explore how businesses can manage delays, optimise cash flow and take advantage of lower freight costs.
The system change causing delays across Durban Port
Three issues have created significant delays at Durban Port this week: a new terminal booking system, registration challenges and growing congestion.In this week's Importers' Connect, Vernon Sinden and Francois Herman unpack: what's really driving the disruption, the knock-on impact across South Africa's supply chain and the practical steps importers can take to minimise risk.
The cost of bad weather
In this episode of Importers Connect, hosts Vernon Sinden and Francois Herman unpack what changing weather patterns could mean for South African importers, from longer lead times and shifting freight capacity to getting stock on the shelves in time for Black Friday and the festive season.
With disruption difficult to predict, planning ahead and keeping your options open could make all the difference.
One supply chain. Not three problems
In this episode, he examines vessel queues and efforts to tackle truck congestion around the Port of Durban, before turning to softer global air-freight demand and falling rates on key routes. For importers, the message is clear: resilience and optionality still matter.
A perfect storm in India
Monsoon flooding, vessel space shortages, peak-season demand, Red Sea disruption and transshipment bottlenecks are all putting pressure on freight rates and transit times. In this week's Importers' Connect, Vernon Sinden unpacks what's driving the disruption, why it's likely to persist over the coming months, and what importers can do now to mitigate risk.
The most unexpected supply chain cost may start after the vessel arrives
While much of the market remains focused on port congestion and peak season volumes, a different challenge is emerging for importers. In the latest episode of Importers' Connect, Vernon Sinden and Francois Hermann unpack how container collection delays, limited free-time agreements and growing detention and demurrage exposure could have a significant impact on landed costs.
The discussion explores:
1. Why improving port performance doesn't necessarily mean smoother cargo movement.
2. How booking system challenges are affecting container collections.
3. The difference between detention and demurrage charges.
4. How seemingly small delays can translate into substantial additional costs.
5. Practical steps importers can take to negotiate better free-time terms and reduce risk
Understanding these costs before they arise can help businesses protect margins, improve planning and avoid unwelcome surprises further down the supply chain.
The cost of congestion
In this episode of Importers' Connect, Vernon Sinden and Francois Herman explain why congestion is returning, what it means for South African importers, and how businesses can build resilience before delays become lost sales.
The tariff beneath the tiles
In this episode of Importers' Connect, join Francois Herman and Vernon Sinden as they unpack what the latest trade measures mean for South African importers, why focusing solely on the cheapest freight quote can prove costly, and how businesses can make smarter procurement decisions by understanding their total landed cost.
Durban Port's new compliance rules take effect
In this week's Importers' Connect, Dylan Govender and Vernon Sinden unpack what the new driver compliance requirements at Durban Port mean for importers, provide an update on global shipping conditions, and discuss South Africa's rise to become the world's largest citrus exporter by volume.
A berth of fresh air for South Africa's ports
In this episode of Importers' Connect, Vernon Sinden and Dylan Govender, unpack the significance of Durban's transformation, the impact of ICTSI's investment in Durban Gateway Terminal, and what improved port performance means for inventory planning, working capital and trade competitiveness. They also explore why flexibility and contingency planning remain essential in an increasingly complex logistics environment.
Too many ships, too little sea
Vernon Sinden and Dylan Governor unpack how fresh US tariffs are reshaping global shipping routes and putting pressure on vessel capacity. The pair also discuss the latest developments around the PVOC programme and what businesses can do to protect working capital in an increasingly crowded market.
Winter and shortages squeeze importers
Vernon Sinden and Dylan Govender discuss the latest uncertainty around PVOC implementation, the growing appeal of NOR containers amid rising freight costs, and the importance of booking early as capacity pressures continue. They also touch on how winter weather could affect inland transport and delivery timelines.
The cost of uncertainty
Investec's Dylan Govender and Vernon Sinden unpack the forces reshaping logistics flows – from disruption in the Strait of Hormuz to South Africa's rail revival – and explore how importers can navigate uncertainty with better planning, supplier diversification and more flexible transport strategies.
China imports enter a stricter era
South Africa’s new Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme is reshaping the way businesses import from China, introducing stricter checks before goods leave port and raising the cost of getting compliance wrong.
In the first episode of Importers' Connect, Vernon Sinden, Head of Logistics at Investec Business and Commercial Banking, speaks to Dylan Govender, Head of Supply Chain, about what the changes mean for importers, where operational risks are emerging and why businesses need to build compliance into the buying and shipping process earlier than before.
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As import and working capital specialists, we simplify your imports by integrating logistics and trade finance into one bespoke solution.
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Comprehensive business and commercial banking solutions spanning transacting, finance, import solutions, forex, cash investments and insurance to support every stage of business growth.
Imports Solutions
As import and working capital specialists, we simplify your imports by integrating logistics and trade finance into one bespoke solution.
Business and Commercial Banking
Comprehensive business and commercial banking solutions spanning transacting, finance, import solutions, forex, cash investments and insurance to support every stage of business growth.
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