Every shipment has a story.
Every journey makes a difference.
One connected network
From source to end destination
Our logistics and maritime services include all aspects of cargo movement - container solutions, road and rail transport, clearing and forwarding, cross border and project logistics, ships agency, maritime procurement, and engineering.
We manage projects end to end. One shipment or a fully integrated solution, we deliver both. Our teams operate across all major transit corridors in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Every journey matters.
Digital solutions to support operational excellence
Our integrated solutions teams drive continuous improvement, always finding new ways to innovate and prioritise your experience. The business is supported by a strong digital support structure, making use of automated systems to manage tasks, provide real-time data, and integrated KPI Dashboards. Our systems integrate seamlessly with yours.
Container depots
Operational excellence. Delivered consistently.
Our nationwide depot network provides safe, efficient container storage, maintenance, repairs, reefer support, transport, and bulk commodity handling. Strategically located near key ports and logistics hubs, we help shipping lines, cargo owners and logistics partners keep supply chains moving.
Our services include
- Container storage and handling (empty and full)
- IICL-standard container repairs and maintenance
- Cleaning, refurbishment, and rework
- Reefer monitoring, cold treatment, and CA services
- Container sales, including refrigerated units
- Container transport and repositioning
- Integrated logistics and supply chain support
- Warehouse cargo handling
- Breakbulk cargo handling
- Drybulk cargo handling
- Project and abnormal cargo handling
- Steel and general cargo operations
- Bonded and non-bonded warehousing
- Open and convered storage solutions
Where we operate
- Cape Town, port centric container handling facility, less than 3 km from the port, 5000 TEU and 350 reefer plug capacity and rapid access to the terminal
- Durban, 13 km from port, our largest reefer operation with 240 plug points. 40 000 m², 3 500 TEU
- Johannesburg, strategically located inland depot serving the Gauteng logistics market with 4 500 TEU capacity including an open-air bulk export handing capability
Container handling facility
Grindrod Eyamakhosi joint venture has been awarded a 25-year
concession by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to develop
and operate a container handling facility in the Bayvue precinct at
the port of Richards Bay.
The investment will increase the port's container handling
capacity from 50 000 TEUs to 200 000 TEUs per year, supporting
growing demand for containerised cargo in KwaZulu-Natal and the
broader southern African region.
Designed as a modern logistics hub, the facility will incorporate
advanced cargo-handling technology and specialised equipment to
improve efficiency, reduce turnaround times and support the seamless
movement of cargo by rail, road and sea.
The facility will expand trade capacity, lower logistics costs,
improve supply chain efficiency and strengthen Richards Bay's
role as a strategic gateway for regional and international trade.
Efficient rail solutions,
reliable terminal throughput
The rail segment of the business, coordinates rail logistics, manages railway operations and leases rolling stock for freight customers across Africa.
Managing railways
From concession management on the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Railway in Zimbabwe to heavy-haul operations on key trade corridors, we deliver rail solutions that keep cargo moving safely and efficiently.
Our capabilities include infrastructure management, rolling stock procurement and maintenance, train consist optimisation, safety management, training and train control.
As South Africa's rail reform gains momentum, we are well positioned to support a more competitive and efficient freight rail sector. Having secured third-party access on Transnet's North-East Corridor, we play an active role in unlocking rail capacity and creating greater choice for customers. Our locomotive fleet supports this growing capability.
Rail is a cost-effective and sustainable transport solution for bulk commodities, reducing pressure on road networks, lowering long-term logistics costs and strengthening trade competitiveness across the region.
ROLLING STOCK LEASING
AND FINANCE
We lease locomotives and wagons to the rail and mining sectors in Africa. Our flexible funding solutions and a modern, purpose-built fleet enable customers to access the equipment they need while preserving capital for their core operations.
RAIL CONSULTANCY services
Rail freight broking
We offer a consultancy service that simplifies rail freight movements into and out of the Congolese and Zambian Copperbelt. Customers benefit from one price, one invoice and one point of contact for the entire rail journey. We coordinate the movement of a wide range of commodities, including: Copper, cobalt and chrome, coal, limestone, clinker, sulphur, sulphuric acid, mining chemicals, fuel, fertiliser, construction materials and general containers.
Rail consultancy
Mines rely on our rail managers and engineers for independent advice
across road, rail, port handling and seafreight. Our experience in
designing, building, maintaining and financing fit-for-purpose
rolling stock on the Cape gauge network sets us apart, including a
lightweight flatbed container wagon built for routes where axle
limits restrict payloads.
We combine operational expertise, rolling stock capability and
integrated logistics solutions to help customers move freight more
efficiently across southern Africa.
Enabling cargo flow to our terminals
We provide an end-to-end road service, moving cargo from point of origin to final destination across southern Africa's trade corridors. We run our own fleet of trucks alongside carefully selected independent transporters, so we can match the right vehicle and trailer to the cargo.
We carry standard and out-of-gauge loads, containerised, bulk, temperature-controlled, dangerous and high-value cargo. We handle full loads, part loads and groupage, at any frequency.
Clearing Services
Our clearing teams manage the processes that moving cargo depends on, including customs declarations, port and regulatory documentation.
We manage the process to reduce delays, improve visibility and help vessels, cargo and customers stay on schedule with no additional costs.
- Clearing documentation
- Port and regulatory documentation
- Port logistics - inbound and outbound cargo monitoring and reconciliations
- Management of container demurrage
- Integrated solutions
Freight forwarding
Röhlig-Grindrod handles freight forwarding, customs brokerage and related logistics, with offices in every major trading centre across five continents.
We manage your shipments worldwide, import, export and project cargo, by sea, air or land. You keep full visibility from the moment you place an order to final delivery, and the information to plan and review your supply chain as you go.
Talk to our team
CROSS BORDER AND PROJECT LOGISTICS
One point of contact for every southern African corridor.
When cargo requirements are complex, experience matters.
We handle cross border shipments and large-scale project cargo across Southern Africa. Customers expertise, a plan specific to the cargo and one point of contact through every stage.
Our extensive expertise cover petroleum, minerals, fresh produce, mining equipment and oversized industrial cargo. All of it safely and on time.
Talk to our team
Your partner in port
Thousands of vessels keep global trade moving every day.
We help keep them moving. Our ships agency handles approximately 5 000 vessel calls
a year across the globe through our owned offices.
From vessel clearance, port and cargo operations to crew support and
documentation, we represent owners and charterers with one clear
focus: Ensuring every call runs safely and efficiently.
Faster turnaround, less time in port.
- Port agency services
- Cargo loading and discharge
- Off port limits services
- Crew assistance
- Ship repair coordination
- Security services
- Port protective agency
- Supercargo services
Maritime procurement
Marine safety, servicing and supply
Our maritime procurement business delivers safety and technical solutions that maximise vessel performance, ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate operational risk. Backed by decades of proven industry specialisation, we help reduce downtime and ensure safe, reliable and efficient vessel operations.
Survival servicing
- We service what saves lives. Lifeboats, davits, rescue craft and life rafts, tested and overhauled to manufacturer standard - trained by over 20 manufacturers and approved to service equipment in all major African ports.
Supplying of life rafts
- We sell and service marine safety equipment, immersion suits, lifejackets and electronic equipment
Fire safety
- We keep fire equipment ready. Servicing, sale and high-pressure testing, backed by our SANAS-approved fire station
Calibration
- We keep instruments accurate. On-site calibration, diagnostics and repairs to OEM and ISO 9001:2015 specification, on board or offshore
Chandling
- We supply the vessel. Provisions, parts and equipment, delivered dockside
Technologies
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We procure and commission auxiliary systems. Installation and servicing for leading OEMs, including Gefico, Cathelco, SKF and DaihatsuWe provide a specialised technical service and procure auxiliary marine systems.
On board, in the yard, in the field
Grindrod maritime engineering keeps vessels in Class and running, on board, in the yard and in the field.
With over 50 years in marine engineering, we cover the full scope of ship repair - including mechanical, fabrication, rigging and shipwright services.
We work on board your vessel, in your factory, or in our workshop near Cape Town Harbour. We service vessels in Simon's Town and Saldanha Bay. The same engineering serves both marine work to keep your vessel in Class and turnkey industrial work for plant and heavy engineering across the manufacturing, mining, FMCG and oil and gas sectors.
Ship repair and propulsion
- We cover the vessel, from the hull to the engine. Repair, maintenance, propulsion systems and valve overhauls, in Class at all times
Project management and fabrication
- We run the project end-to-end. Turnkey management, custom steel fabrication, coded welding and on-site installation
Inspection and testing
- We verify the work. Pressure testing, non-destructive testing and root cause analysis
Finishing
- We complete the vessel. Carpentry, blasting, coating, painting and tank cleaning
