Sunny Worldwide Logistics is a logistics company with more than 20 years of transportation experience, specializing in markets such as Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Southeast Asia. It is more of a cargo owner than a cargo owner~
Recently, large-scale protests broke out in the southern African country of Mozambique. As the protests posed a potential threat to public safety, neighboring South Africa took a series of important measures.
Thousands of people took to the streets to protest the results of the October 15 presidential election, believing that the ruling party, the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), used unfair means to ensure the re-election of current President Filipe Nyusi.
The result sparked widespread dissatisfaction, with the opposition Podemos party (MDM) accusing Frelimo of electoral manipulation and calling for continued nationwide protests.
The protests have resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, frequent large-scale robberies, and severe damage to infrastructure.
South Africa closes borders
South Africa is understood to have temporarily closed its main border with Mozambique out of public safety concerns following a crackdown on post-election protests.
The measure is expected to affect the normal flow of goods and commodities in the region, which is facing severe logistics challenges as state-owned ports and railway companies struggle to provide adequate services.
According to the South African media "Freight News", the South African Border Agency (BMA) announced the temporary closure of the Lebombo border crossing due to reports that vehicles were burned on the Mozambique side of the border.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the closure was due to public safety concerns and urged relevant parties in the freight industry to suspend transport through the Lebombo port until further notice.
He also recommended that alternative routes to Mozambique be used where possible until the situation stabilizes.
Additionally, Freight News reported that operations at the port of Maputo have also been suspended due to the unrest. An official said that as of the morning of November 6, Gate 1 of Maputo Port had not received any cargo.
Logistics operator Grindrod subsequently announced that it would suspend its port and terminal operations in Maputo and Matola.
The company noted: “Following the closure of the Lebombo border crossing connecting South Africa and Mozambique and the suspension of rail operations, Grindrod’s port and terminal operations in Maputo and Matola have been suspended to ensure the safety of our employees. Operations at Grindrod’s ports and terminals in Maputo and Matola will continue until resumption. Assess the situation."
Gavin Kelly, chief executive of the Road Freight Association, said the closure of the Lebombo border crossing between South Africa and Mozambique, and the resulting disruption to the movement of goods through the port of Maputo, was costing the South African economy an estimated R10 million a day.
It is reported that hundreds of trucks carrying cargo, including large quantities of chromium, have been trapped. South Africa is the world's largest exporter of chromium, and the port of Maputo in Mozambique is also an important chromium export hub.
We would like to remind cargo owners and freight forwarders who have recently shipped goods to the above-mentioned areas to pay attention to local developments, understand cargo node information, and adjust subsequent transportation plans in a timely manner.
