Maersk, the global shipping and logistics giant, has announced that it will end its direct shipping services between South Africa and the United States as part of a major operational restructuring, with the change taking effect from October 1, 2025[1][3]. This move eliminates Maersk’s participation in the AMEX service, previously a joint venture with MSC, which offered direct routes from South African ports like Durban and Cape Town to US East Coast destination ports such as New York and Newark[1].
With Maersk’s exit, South Africa—Africa’s largest economy—will be left with only one remaining direct shipping line to the USA, now solely operated by MSC[1][5]. South African exports destined for the US will now be rerouted through transshipment hubs, likely in Europe, resulting in longer transit times, increased uncertainty due to port congestion, and higher logistics costs for exporters[1][3]. This adjustment is particularly concerning for the country’s time-sensitive export sectors, such as fresh fruit, where any delays or interruptions in the supply chain could cause significant financial losses[1][5].
The Maritime Business Chamber (MBC), representing local maritime industry interests, has highlighted the heightened risk for perishable goods exporters, warning that transshipment can introduce unpredictable delays at intermediate ports and threaten the viability of South Africa’s fresh produce exports to the critical US market[1][5].
Despite these changes in ocean freight services, Maersk is simultaneously expanding its onshore logistics footprint in South Africa. The company is set to operate a network of three new state-of-the-art cold storage facilities before the end of 2025, including the upcoming Belcon Logistics Park in Cape Town and the Cato cold store near Durban[2][4]. These facilities are aimed at ensuring an unbroken cold chain for exporters of perishables such as grapes, citrus, and oranges—which are particularly vulnerable to disruptions and delays. According to Maersk South Africa’s Managing Director, Lubabalo Mtya, the new cold stores will help minimize losses experienced by exporters due to cold chain breaks, which in the past have cost the South African grape sector up to 1.5 billion rand annually[2].
Maersk’s latest investments align with its global decarbonization targets, with the new cold storage sites designed to leverage renewable energy and support Net Zero emissions goals by 2040[2][4].
References
- [1] Maersk’s Withdrawal from Direct SA-US Shipping: A Blow to Time-Sensitive Exports
- [2] Maersk gives exporters sneak peek of new cold store facility in Cape Town
- [3] Shipping giant, Maersk ends direct US trade route to Africa’s largest economy
- [4] Maersk previews cold storage facility at Belcon Logistics Park in Cape Town
- [5] SA needs to develop its own shipping lines: MBC – SABC News
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