| Study Period | 2020 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 6.39 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 8.81 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 6.64% |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
South Africa Third Party Logistics (3PL) Market Analysis
The South Africa Third-Party Logistics Market size is estimated at USD 6.39 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 8.81 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.64% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The growth in the market is driven by the growth in the intra-continental trade. Moreover, the change in the consumption patterns and growth in the e-commerce orders also form a part of drivers of the market growth with the higher generation of demand for logistics services.
South Africa being relatively under-developed in the logistics sector, is expecting huge and fast changes in the coming decade. These are supported by the government regulations, increasing outsourcing of the services by the companies and increasing consumer expectations of better service.
South Africa Third Party Logistics (3PL) Market Trends
AfCFTA to Increase Intra Regional Trade
The intra-Africa trade currently is limited to 15% of Africa’s total trade, indicating a very weak intra-regional value chain as compared to Asia, where it is at 80%. With the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which is the world's largest free trade zone signed by 54 countries and is expected to revolutionise trade across the continent, the trade volume and hence the economy of the continent is expected to grow significantly. The act will focus on increasing the production capabilities in an exceedingly competitive global landscape.
The African government is under talks to develop the roads, railway and maritime connectivity of the countries. Nigeria and South Africa - the biggest economies on the continent of Africa are under talks of collaborative work to build road network on the continent.
The restoration and improvement of the Maputo corridor has successfully boosted bilateral trade flows between South Africa and Mozambique leading to more than USD 5 billion worth of investments and developments, construction and operation of transport, logistics, energy, and industrial ventures along the corridor.
France, one of South Africa's privileged partners, is investing in the country's railway industry in collaboration with local companies. The French-South African collaboration is proving particularly successful, with an ongoing partnership between Alstom, the French-based multinational transport company where in October 2019, Alstom inaugurated a modernised rail factory in Ekurhuleni in South Africa.
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Developments in Cold Chain Market
In recent years, the consumption of meat, canned fruits and vegetables, packaged food has risen over the years with the growing middle class. The demand from the healthcare sector has also increased over the years for the storage of drugs, vaccines and medical equipment. In order to balance the increasing demand with the supply of the services, the companies are actively evolving not only to provide a faster service but also reduce the carbon emission to a minimum in the process.
Among recent developments, in November 2019, RCL Foods has announced a deal with Imperial Logistics expanding to provide efficient operations in cold chain service.
June 2019 evidenced the opening of the latest cold storage facility from SAFT (Southern African Fruit Terminals) having the 5,500 pallet capacity facility spread across 17,105 sq. meter of warehousing space. This location provides easy accessibility to farmers and cooperatives transporting fruit for export along with the Cape Town Harbour and facilities in Killarney Gardens and Paarl.
Thermo King - global leader in transport refrigeration and heating for trailers, trucks, buses, rail cars and shipboard containers, in March 2020, launched fully electric multi-temperature unit with hold-over capacity on Mercedes-Benz sprinter vans providing an all-in-one transport refrigeration solution that allows customers to maintain up to two cooling zones in the vehicle and keep the refrigeration unit running without any emissions while the driver stops for delivery, break or needs to turn off the vehicle for longer.
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South Africa Third Party Logistics (3PL) Industry Overview
The market is highly fragmented with a large number of local and international players such as Imperial Logistics, DB Schenker, Panalpina Logistics- Bidvest, Value Logistics and Kuehne + Nagel as its key players. The market has high potential to develop with the expected increase in inland and foreign trade. The companies are aiming at maximum expansion in alliance to the developments in the market whilst have minimum carbon emissions and maximum implementation of renewable resources to produce energy.
South Africa Third Party Logistics (3PL) Market Leaders
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Bidvest International Logistics
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Kuehne + Nagel
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DSV
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Barloworld Logistics
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Onelogix
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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South Africa Third Party Logistics (3PL) Industry Segmentation
A comprehensive background analysis of the South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market, covering the current market trends, restraints, technological updates and detailed information on various segments and competitive landscape of the industry. The impact of COVID-19 has also been incorporated and considered during the study.
| By Service | Domestic Transportation Management |
| International Transportation Management | |
| Value-added Warehousing and Distribution | |
| By End-User | Manufacturing & Automotive |
| Oil & Gas and Chemicals | |
| Distributive Trade (Wholesale and Retail trade including e-commerce) | |
| Pharma & Healthcare | |
| Construction | |
| Other End Users |
By Service
| Domestic Transportation Management |
| International Transportation Management |
| Value-added Warehousing and Distribution |
By End-User
| Manufacturing & Automotive |
| Oil & Gas and Chemicals |
| Distributive Trade (Wholesale and Retail trade including e-commerce) |
| Pharma & Healthcare |
| Construction |
| Other End Users |
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South Africa Third Party Logistics (3PL) Market Research FAQs
How big is the South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market?
The South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market size is expected to reach USD 6.39 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 6.64% to reach USD 8.81 billion by 2030.
What is the current South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market size?
In 2025, the South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market size is expected to reach USD 6.39 billion.
Who are the key players in South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market?
Bidvest International Logistics, Kuehne + Nagel, DSV, Barloworld Logistics and Onelogix are the major companies operating in the South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market.
What years does this South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market size was estimated at USD 5.97 billion. The report covers the South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market historical market size for years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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South Africa 3PL Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. South Africa Third-Party Logistics (3PL) analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
