Megafreight
Megafreight is a privately owned South African freight forwarder and integrated logistics provider founded in 1981, offering ocean, air, and road freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing, cross-border transport, and marine insurance. It serves wine producers, agricultural exporters, and general cargo clients across Africa, Europe, and globally via C.H. Robinson.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Megafreight does
Megafreight Services (Pty) Ltd is a privately owned South African freight forwarding and integrated logistics company founded in 1981, headquartered in Johannesburg with branch offices across South Africa (Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Paarl) and the Netherlands (Roosendaal, Schiphol). The company offers five core service lines: freight forwarding (ocean, air, and road), customs compliance as a SARS-accredited agent, contract logistics including warehousing and distribution, cross-border road transport throughout Africa, and marine insurance as a registered FSP provider. Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-fee-based freight forwarding, professional services for customs clearance, managed services for contract logistics, and recurring insurance premiums.
The company operates a cloud-based integrated technology platform comprising a proprietary in-house operations system (Megatrac, originally developed in 1988), a cloud-based customs EDI gateway, a web-based stock management system with 24/7 customer access and 99% uptime, and a customer-facing tracking portal at track.megafreight.co.za. Warehousing infrastructure includes the 24,000 sqm Clairwood Logistics Park facility in Durban, a J1-certified chemical warehouse, and additional facilities in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Gqeberha, and Paarl. Global reach is enabled through an exclusive partnership with C.H. Robinson (signed March 2017) providing access to 225 offices across 41 countries and 107,000 contract suppliers and carriers.
Megafreight serves diversified customer segments including wine and liquid bulk producers, agricultural and commodity exporters, dangerous goods shippers, project cargo clients, and general import/export businesses, with vertical specialization in wine logistics since 1994 and agriculture (citrus, wool, mohair, table grapes). Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales through regional branch managers, a self-service online portal, and channel partner distribution via the C.H. Robinson global network. The company employs 340+ staff across affiliated entities and has executed a steady tuck-in acquisition strategy (Belfreight 2018, Ibhayi Freight Services 2019, RB Associated Logistics 2021/2024, IMEX International and RSD Warehousing 2023, BCF Logistics and RB & Son Transport 2025) to expand capacity, geographic reach, and vertical capabilities.
Megafreight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Megafreight
- Legal name
- Megafreight Services (Pty) Ltd
- Website
- https://megafreight.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Megafreight is a privately owned South African freight forwarder and integrated logistics provider founded in 1981, offering ocean, air, and road freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing, cross-border transport, and marine insurance. It serves wine producers, agricultural exporters, and general cargo clients across Africa, Europe, and globally via C.H. Robinson.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Megafreight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Air–Ocean Multimodal Forwarding (TLACAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Project & OOG/Breakbulk Ocean Forwarding (Out-of-Gauge, RoRo) (TLACABAH), Industrial Plants & Process Equipment (EPC/Turnkey Projects) (TLACAIAA), Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL) (TLACABAF), Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF) (TLACABAE)
Keywords
Where Megafreight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices15 records
Markets served
Megafreight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Freight Forwarding Services: Planning, executing and coordinating the movement of products via ocean, air and road freight globally on a door-to-door basis. Includes FCL (full container load), LCL (consolidation), ship chartering, break bulk, RORO, and air freight services.
- Customs Compliance Services: As a fully accredited SARS customs agent, providing customs clearance, processing, advisory and consulting services. Cloud-based customs EDI gateway managed by national team of professionals.
- Contract Logistics: Comprehensive supply chain management including bonded and free storage, container cross-docking and handling, certified Haz-Chem and flammable storage, pick and pack, repacking and palletising, and distribution to all locations.
- Cross-Border Logistics: Facilitation and management of cross-border movement of goods throughout Africa via an extensive road transportation network. Includes bonded cargo handling through registered customs SOS facility.
- Risk Management & Marine Insurance: Registered provider of Marine Insurance (FSP No. 17723) offering enhanced insurance cover, competitive premiums through bulk buying power, and market-leading claims management service.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quotation-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Megafreight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Megafreight provides freight forwarding and logistics services for business shippers moving goods internationally and across Africa. Its services cover door-to-door ocean, air and road freight forwarding, customs compliance, contract logistics and warehousing, cross-border logistics, specialized cargo handling and marine insurance.
Product overview
Megafreight is a freight forwarding and logistics company offering an integrated suite of services organized around five core pillars: Freight Forwarding (ocean, air, and road), Customs Compliance, Contract Logistics, Cross-Border Logistics, and Risk Management/Marine Insurance. The core Freight Forwarding service coordinates global door-to-door movement via all transport modes, supported by Customs Compliance as a SARS-accredited agent. Contract Logistics provides end-to-end supply chain management including warehousing and distribution, while Cross-Border Logistics manages African continental movement. Risk Management offers marine insurance as a registered provider. Specialized offerings include Wine & Liquid Bulk, Agriculture, Dangerous Goods, Project Cargo, and Wool & Mohair logistics. Digital services include an online tracking system, transport booking request portal, and warehouse management system. The company operates facilities across South Africa (Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha, Paarl) and the Netherlands (Roosendaal, Schiphol), with global partner network access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Freight Forwarding
- Customs Compliance
- Contract Logistics
- Cross Border Logistics
- Risk Management / Marine Insurance
- General Cargo Services
- Wine & Liquid Bulk Logistics
- Agriculture Logistics
- Dangerous Goods Handling
- Project Cargo & Heavy Lift Logistics
- Air Freight Consolidation Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 30% cost saving using Non-Operating Reefer containers while only losing about 10% loading capacity
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Megafreight
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Megafreight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Megafreight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- BCF Logistics (Pty) LtdminorFormerly Bester Clearing & Forwarding. Cape Town operation includes 1,800m² facility near International Airport to support air freight activities.
- RB & Son Transport Gauteng CCminorAcquired in 2025, continues to trade under RB Logistics brand.
- IMEX InternationalcoreAcquired June 2023, based in the Netherlands. Serves as Megafreight's gateway into Europe, with offices in Roosendaal and Schiphol for air freight pricing.
- RSD WarehousingcoreAcquired June 2023, based in the Netherlands, marking Megafreight's entry into the European market.
- RB Associated LogisticscoreInitially acquired 60% stake in March 2021. Remaining 40% acquired in February 2024, achieving full ownership.
- Ibhayi Freight Services (Pty) LtdminorAcquired in 2019 to expand South African operations.
- C.H. RobinsoncoreExclusive agreement signed March 2017. C.H. Robinson is a global strategic partner and one of the largest third-party logistics providers, providing Megafreight with access to 225 offices across 41 countries and 107,000 contract suppliers and carriers worldwide.
- IJS GlobalminorNew partner appointed in 2008.
- BDP InternationalminorAppointed as new global partner in 1998.
- SDVcoreSDV appointed as exclusive global partner in 1995. Later became DSV (formerly DFDS) after acquisition.
- JE Bernard (UK)minorExclusive agreement with JE Bernard in the UK established 1993, proved very successful until Bernard was sold to SDV in 2001.
- M&M Militzer & MunchminorAppointed as first large international forwarder in 1984.
- Marine Land Air Transport (Taiwan)minorEarly partnership established 1984 with Taiwan-based forwarder Marine Land Air Transport.
- Richard Boas (Germany)minorFirst international partnership established in 1982 with German-based forwarder Richard Boas for international forwarding services.
- Baltrans (Hong Kong)minorEarly international partnership established in 1982 with Hong Kong-based forwarder Baltrans.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Megafreight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with a substantial South African presence offering air, ocean, road, customs, and contract logistics services that compete head-on with Megafreight in the same verticals.
- Expeditors International: Global freight forwarder with established South African operations offering air, ocean, and customs services comparable to Megafreight's core forwarding offering for enterprise customers.
- DSV (formerly DFDS, formerly SDV): Global freight forwarding and logistics giant that was Megafreight's exclusive global partner from 1995 onwards (as SDV then DFDS then DSV), offering the full suite of air, ocean, road, and contract logistics that directly overlaps Megafreight's services.
- DHL Global Forwarding: Global air, ocean, and road freight forwarder with deep South African presence and customs brokerage capabilities that overlaps Megafreight's full-service logistics offering.
- Maersk Logistics & Services: Integrated container shipping and logistics arm of A.P. Moller-Maersk offering end-to-end ocean, air, road, customs, and contract logistics that competes with Megafreight in door-to-door supply chain solutions.
Direct peers
- Value Logistics: South African freight forwarding and supply chain company offering comparable multimodal freight, customs brokerage, and contract logistics services to enterprise clients across South Africa and Africa.
- C.H. Robinson: One of the largest global 3PLs and Megafreight's exclusive global partner since 2017; while a partner, C.H. Robinson also operates comparable freight forwarding services globally and increasingly within Africa.
- Bidvest Tanker Freight (Bidvest Logistics): South African freight forwarding and logistics division of Bidvest Group, offering multimodal freight, customs, and warehousing services directly comparable to Megafreight's full-stack offering in the same geography.
- Imperial Logistics (now DP World Logistics): Major South African freight forwarder and contract logistics provider; was Megafreight's 60% parent between 2001 and 2012, making it a historically intertwined peer operating across the same verticals (automotive, consumer, chemicals).
Regional players
- Globeflight Worldwide Express: South African-headquartered international courier and freight forwarding group with comparable air and road freight capabilities focused on the African market, similar in scale and orientation to Megafreight.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Megafreight social profiles
Digital presenceMegafreight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Megafreight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Megafreight subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Megafreight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Megafreight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Megafreight
What does Megafreight do?
Megafreight provides freight forwarding and logistics services for business shippers moving goods internationally and across Africa. Its services cover door-to-door ocean, air and road freight forwarding, customs compliance, contract logistics and warehousing, cross-border logistics, specialized cargo handling and marine insurance.
Is Megafreight a public or private company?
Megafreight is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Megafreight founded?
Megafreight was founded in 1981. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Megafreight based?
Megafreight is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Megafreight make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Freight Forwarding Services are the primary driver. The others are customs Compliance Services, contract Logistics, cross-Border Logistics and risk Management & Marine Insurance.
Who are Megafreight's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Kuehne+Nagel, Expeditors International, DSV (formerly DFDS, formerly SDV), DHL Global Forwarding and Maersk Logistics & Services. Direct peers are Value Logistics, C.H. Robinson, Bidvest Tanker Freight (Bidvest Logistics) and Imperial Logistics (now DP World Logistics). Globeflight Worldwide Express is listed as a regional player.
Does Megafreight have an API?
No public API is recorded for Megafreight.
What industry is Megafreight in?
Megafreight's product category is Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLACAEAA, Air–Ocean Multimodal Forwarding, with a secondary code of TLACABAH, Project & OOG/Breakbulk Ocean Forwarding (Out-of-Gauge, RoRo). Its NAICS code is 48851 and its SIC code is 4731.