Imagine a transport system where every trip is safer, greener, and more efficient – whether you are managing a cross-border trucking fleet, upgrading urban transit, or planning ports for the decarbonised future..
These are not just aspirations, but these urgent challenges and opportunities will be tackled at the 43rd Southern African Transport Conference (SATC), taking place from 7 to 10 July 2025 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa..
Shipping and Freight Resource (SFR) is delighted to announce that we will serve as an official media partner for this prestigious event, reinforcing our commitment to providing authoritative, insightful coverage of the trends shaping transport, logistics and supply chains in Africa and beyond..
Why SATC 2025 matters
Now in its 43rd year, SATC has established itself as Southern Africa’s foremost platform for exchanging knowledge, policy ideas, practical solutions, and research insights on transport across modes – road, rail, maritime, air, and multimodal corridors..
This year’s theme, “Mobility Solutions to Southern African Challenges”, could not be more timely.. From road safety strategies in Limpopo, to rethinking the future of rail corridors, to green ports and decarbonised shipping, SATC 2025 promises a four-day programme that is both broad in scope and laser-focused on local relevance..
Importantly, the event is endorsed by the International Road Federation, with the Minister of Transport serving as Patron and scheduled to deliver the Opening Address..
Highlights of the 2025 programme
SATC is an all-hands-on-deck gathering of municipal officials, policy makers, engineers, academics, private sector experts, and industry leaders working on solutions to real problems..
Over the four days, attendees can look forward to:
Plenary addresses by leading voices including
- Minister Barbara Creecy (Minister of Transport)
- Ms Wrenelle Stander (WESGRO)
- Prof Filippo Tomasello (Euro USC, Italy)
- Prof Gina Porter (Durham University, UK)
Over 20 parallel sessions covering critical topics like:
- Infrastructure maintenance and innovation
- Urban and public transport strategies
- Traffic engineering, management and safety
- Aviation policy, drone regulation and freight logistics
- Rail and maritime transport developments
- International Women in Transport Forum
- Multimodal transport corridor development and harmonisation
- Road safety in Africa and Engineering for Safe Systems Forums
- Specialised workshops including the International Society for Weigh-In-Motion (ISWIM) session
- An industry exhibition running throughout the event showcasing new products, technologies and services..
The event is a practical catalyst for collaboration and problem-solving..
Maritime and logistics in the spotlight
For those in shipping and freight, SATC 2025 offers particularly compelling content.. The Maritime Session (9 July) will address everything from port reforms to green shipping strategies aligned with the IMO GHG Strategy, decarbonisation funding opportunities, and green reefer technologies in South Africa..
Similarly, the Freight and Logistics session (8 July) will examine the transition to battery-electric trucks, human resource challenges in the trucking industry, and regulatory questions around aviation freight drones..
These conversations are essential as Southern Africa works to build more connected, resilient, and sustainable supply chains..
Encouraging the next generation
SATC’s commitment to inclusion is also clear in initiatives like the Student Essay Competition on the 2025 theme.. Winners will receive sponsorship to attend, helping ensure fresh thinking and new voices are part of the dialogue..
Furthermore, sessions such as the International Women in Transport Forum highlight ongoing work to make transport planning and delivery more equitable, inclusive, and gender-responsive..
Join us in Pretoria
SFR’s partnership with SATC 2025 reflects our mission to inform, educate, and support the transport and logistics community with credible, actionable insights..
We will be on the ground in Pretoria sharing news, interviews, and key takeaways for our readers who cannot attend in person.. But if you can make it – and you are in any way connected to the transport sector – this is one event you do not want to miss..
You can register here.. See you at SATC 2025 – where Southern Africa’s transport future takes shape, one solution at a time..
