The decision is expected to disrupt trade routes and increase transit times for South African exporters targeting the US market.
In a significant setback for South Africa’s export industry, Danish shipping giant Maersk has announced the termination of direct cargo shipping services between South Africa and the United States, effective October 1, 2025.
Maersk linked the move to “operational restructuring and global supply chain realignments.”
The decision, experts say, is expected to disrupt trade routes and increase transit times for South African exporters targeting the US market, with the fresh fruit sector the most likely to be hard hit by the discontinuation.
“There are time-sensitive sectors such as fresh fruits which require direct voyages to destinations like New York,” said Unathi Sonti, chairperson of South Africa’s Maritime Business Chamber (MBC).
“Transshipment means cargo must go through another port, with unpredictable waiting times, creating delays and risks for perishable goods,” he added, as quoted by local media.
Developing national shipping lines, the chair argued, would enhance South Africa’s control over its trade routes and “reduce vulnerability to global shipping decisions.”
According to Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), South Africa ranks as the second-largest global citrus producer after Spain, exporting to over 100 markets including the US, via container terminals in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
“With a 30.1% year-on-year increase, Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) continues to shine as a leading citrus hub, keeping exports fresh and efficient. CTCT is the main export point for citrus coming from the Western Cape regions like Citrusdal, Ceres, and Grabouw,” TPT noted in a statement on July 28.
With Maersk – one of the world’s largest container shipping companies in the world – out of the picture, South Africa exports may have to be rerouted through Europe, introducing a host of additional expenses.
Serrari Group reports that Maersk’s direct shipping routes from South Africa to the US “typically took four to six weeks,” and with the rerouting via European shipping hubs, “these transit times are expected to lengthen by an additional two to three weeks, stretching total delivery times to six to eight weeks or more.”
The length of routes will among others, lead to increased fuel and handling costs, elevated freight rates and increased shipping fees.
Maersk’s move coincides with escalating diplomatic tensions between the US and South Africa, with President Donald Trump’s administration recently threatening to review South Africa’s eligibility under the crucial African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
AGOA was enacted in 2000 as a US economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa, hinged on providing eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market for over 1,800 products.