9th state of logistics survey for South Africa: connecting neighbours - engaging the world

Abstract

The 9th State of Logistics survey for South Africa 2012 delivers a message of action. South Africa must make great strides in addressing critical issues relating to the road freight sector, shifting freight from road to rail and addressing rampant skills shortages and misalignment in the logistics sector. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) needs to see governments and the private sector joining hands to realise ambitious inland corridor initiatives and develop a world-class maritime transhipment community that would open the region up for trade. Globally, the scales are tipping that measure the trade-offs favouring economic specialisation, economies of scale and growth in international trade at the cost of a higher demand for freight transport. A reframing of the role of logistics in supporting truly sustainable economic development is imminent.