South Africa’s freight and logistics sector is facing another cost blow after Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) confirmed that its controversial fuel neutrality charge will increase from R52 to R78 per container from 1 June 2026.
The increase comes barely weeks after the charge was first introduced, with TPT citing record diesel prices and ongoing global supply chain disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East.
According to TPT, the surcharge is aimed at recovering fuel-related operating costs for diesel-powered equipment used at container terminals, including straddle carriers, RTGs, hauliers and generators.
“The fuel charge is being implemented as a transparent, cost-recovery mechanism following diesel increasing by between R13.26 to R13.43 since March 2026,” said TPT General Manager of Commercial and Planning, Michelle van Buren Schele.
The revised fee now places the surcharge in the next diesel index bracket, with current coastal diesel prices reportedly close to triggering an even higher R104 per container charge.
Pressure Mounts Across Supply Chain
The rapid increase is already intensifying concerns within South Africa’s freight industry, where operators are battling soaring fuel costs, delayed payments and shrinking margins.
Industry bodies including the Road Freight Association and the South African Freight and Logistics Association have previously warned that the charge could place additional strain on transporters and eventually push up the price of goods for consumers.
Although TPT maintains that shipping lines are its direct customers, operators argue that any new port cost inevitably filters down the logistics chain until it reaches transporters and cargo owners.
For many in the sector, the concern is no longer just the existence of the surcharge, but the speed at which it is escalating.
Questions Over the R78 Calculation
The latest increase is also likely to reignite questions around how the fuel neutrality charge is calculated.
Based on industry estimates, a straddle carrier handling a container movement cycle may consume roughly 1.5 to 2.5 litres of diesel per container. At current diesel prices, that places estimated fuel usage per move somewhere within the same range as the original R52 surcharge.
However, with the charge now climbing to R78 and potentially R104 per container, some operators are questioning whether the surcharge reflects actual fuel consumption increases or broader operational cost pressures within the port system.
The issue becomes even more significant when viewed at national scale.
With Transnet Port Terminals handling hundreds of thousands of containers monthly across South Africa’s ports, even relatively small per-container increases translate into millions of rand in additional monthly costs flowing through the logistics network.
Diesel Relief May Be Short-Lived
While recent mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund points to a possible diesel price decrease in June, relief may be limited after government confirmed a partial return of the fuel levy from 3 June.
Government’s temporary levy relief will be reduced to:
- R1.50 per litre for petrol
- R1.96 per litre for diesel
From July, the general fuel levy is expected to fully return to previous levels.
That means logistics operators may continue facing elevated fuel costs despite slight movements in the diesel price itself.
Industry Watching Closely
TPT insists the fuel neutrality charge is temporary and only applicable during periods of extreme fuel volatility, with monthly reviews tied to the diesel index.
But as costs continue climbing across the supply chain, industry stakeholders are demanding greater transparency around how the surcharge is calculated and whether the burden being placed on the logistics sector is proportionate.
For transporters already operating under intense pressure, the fear is that what started as a “temporary recovery mechanism” could become another permanent cost embedded into South Africa’s freight system.
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