Average crossing times at the Beitbridge border post increased by 25% week on week to 46 hours during the week of July 20-26, while congestion also worsened at the Martins Drift/Groblersbrug border post, limiting alternative routing options for freight operators. This is according to the latest RSA Corridor Pulse Report.
The report warns that Beitbridge has experienced a second consecutive week of deteriorating performance, with worst-case waiting times approaching four days. It notes that Martins Drift, which typically serves as an alternative route for northbound export traffic, is also experiencing longer delays, leaving operators with "no calm route to fall back on this week".
According to the report, Beitbridge's average crossing time is now 31% higher than during the same period last year. It advises operators to monitor whether average delays remain above 40 hours next week, as this would indicate a sustained deterioration rather than a temporary spike.
The report identifies the N1 Cape Town-Beitbridge corridor as being on "watch", citing the sharp increase in delays at the border post and the lack of relief from alternative crossings. It recommends allowing additional time for freight moving through Beitbridge.
Looking ahead, the report says that if Beitbridge's average crossing time does not ease below 40 hours next week, there will effectively be no uncongested crossing remaining on the corridor, and operators should begin treating the additional transit time as a planning baseline rather than a contingency.
