The Northern Cape–Saldanha and Eastern Cape (Gqeberha) corridors are pivotal to South Africa's bulk commodity export landscape. As essential trade routes, ongoing investments in these corridors promise to drive export growth, support diversification, and stimulate broader economic development. Recognising this, Pindulo VDM is taking a leadership role in shaping the future of these corridors through innovation, capacity building, and inclusive economic participation.

Overcoming Barriers to Progress
According to Kevin Changoo, Co-CEO of Pindulo VDM, the sector still faces substantial challenges, including underdeveloped infrastructure, regulatory inconsistencies, and limited access for smaller market participants. "Addressing these issues requires innovative, scalable solutions to ensure inclusive growth and sustainability. Improved road and rail connectivity to ports like Saldanha, Cape Town, and Gqeberha is essential," said Changoo. This statement underscores Pindulo’s leadership-driven approach to advocacy and solution development.

Innovative Solutions for Operational Excellence
True to its name, Pindulo—which means 'the answer' or 'solution finder'—is championing change through its patented skip and tilter technology. This pioneering system has redefined port operations by significantly boosting efficiency, reducing costs, and supporting sustainable logistics practices. In 2024, Pindulo VDM expanded its back-of-port facilities in Cape Town and Gqeberha while simultaneously increasing capacity at Saldanha. These strategic moves are directly aligned with Pindulo's core values of Innovation, Leadership, and Ownership.

Quantifiable Impact of Innovation
Highlighting the transformative impact of this technology, Changoo explained, “Our patented skip system has achieved a 71.3% improvement in vessel loading efficiency at Saldanha, enabling us to load 11.5 vessels per month per berth compared to 6.71 vessels with traditional methods. This equates to an additional 263,000 tons per berth per month or approximately 3.156 million tons per berth annually.” Such efficiency gains directly reduce vessel turnaround times, optimise throughput, and alleviate quayside congestion, delivering tangible benefits for Pindulo’s customers and stakeholders like Transnet. This exemplifies Pindulo’s commitment to being Driven, Nonpareil, and Useful in every operation.

Scaling Success Across Regions
Pindulo’s leadership extends beyond South Africa’s borders. At the Port of Walvis Bay, Pindulo Logistics employs the same skip and tilter technology to disrupt and redefine bulk export operations. Over the past 16 months, the company successfully loaded its 19th vessel using this system, achieving a 350% improvement in operational efficiency. This accomplishment highlights Pindulo’s capacity to adapt and lead in various port environments, reflecting its commitment to People, Innovation, and Ownership.

Addressing Broader Sector Challenges
Sea freight challenges, such as slow vessel loading rates and limited port capacity, continue to affect the broader logistics sector. Additionally, weather-related disruptions present operational risks. Pindulo’s skip system is designed to mitigate these challenges by ensuring faster, more reliable loading with zero spillage or emissions. This proactive approach reflects the company’s dedication to operational resilience and leadership in sustainable logistics practices.

Driving Diversification and Resilience
The increased berth capacity delivered by Pindulo’s skip system enables ports to diversify their export commodity range. This diversification provides essential risk mitigation during fluctuating commodity cycles and strengthens the resilience of the logistics ecosystem. As a result, Pindulo’s leadership ensures that trade corridors remain adaptive to shifting market demands, positioning the company as a true industry leader.

Vision for Regional Expansion
Looking ahead, Pindulo VDM’s ambitions extend beyond South Africa’s borders. The company has clear plans to expand its footprint across Sub-Saharan Africa, further supporting the development of corridor efficiency in emerging markets. “Our innovative skip and tilter technology positions us to add value across multiple ports in the region. This expansion will not only grow our footprint but also support regional trade by providing scalable, efficient, and environmentally compliant logistics solutions,” said Changoo.

A Leadership-Centric Approach to the Future
Pindulo’s proactive strategy in supporting the Northern Cape–Saldanha and Eastern Cape corridors aligns with its mission to provide People-focused, Leadership-driven, and Innovation-centred solutions. By addressing regulatory challenges, developing operational capacity, and championing sustainable practices, Pindulo continues to set new benchmarks for excellence in the logistics industry. As an industry trailblazer, Pindulo remains committed to creating enduring value for customers, employees, and stakeholders alike.

Tel. 022 714 3231
Email. info@pindulovdm.co.za

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