Turners Shipping

What Turners Shipping does

The company's technology backbone is Athena, a proprietary SaaS logistics management platform built on Microsoft's .NET framework. Athena provides end-to-end capabilities including booking, clearing, forwarding, tracking, compliance, and document management, with carrier and customs visibility, live milestone alerts, editable client instructions, secure document uploads, and ERP integration via APIs. It also incorporates 'Virtual Intelligence' analytics for predictive ETAs, forecasting, cost and INCO terms analysis, and milestone tracking, plus a digital compliance module with perpetual archival, advanced search, and immutable audit trails. The company is accredited by IATA, FIATA, SAAFF, DEKRA (ISO), SARS, DODSA, the South African Department of Defence, and holds B-BBEE Level 2 Contributor status.

Name

Turners Shipping

Legal name

Turners Shipping (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://turnersshipping.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Turners Shipping is South Africa's largest privately-owned freight management and logistics company, providing air, sea, and road freight forwarding, customs clearing, project logistics, trade finance, and warehousing to enterprise importers and exporters across South Africa, Africa, and 130+ countries via PSA BDP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Freight Brokerage (FCL/LCL) (TLADAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG), Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL), Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL) (TLACABAF), LCL (Less-than-Container Load) Consolidation/Deconsolidation (TLACABAB), Export/Import Documentation Preparation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipper’s Letter of Instruction) (TLACAHAD)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding services
• Customs clearing brokerage
• Project cargo logistics
• International trade finance
• Warehousing distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Durban

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Freight Forwarding Services: International and domestic freight forwarding across air, sea, and road/rail modes. Revenue is generated through freight rates, handling fees, and service charges associated with managing cargo movements across global supply chains.
2. Customs Clearing and Brokerage: Customs clearing and brokerage services providing entry preparation, duty advice, advancement of duties and costs, and arrangement of delivery. Revenue is earned through clearing fees and disbursement charges.
3. Project Freight Management: Specialised project logistics for out-of-gauge, abnormal cargo for air, sea, and road freight requirements. Services include planning, route mapping, vendor coordination, multimodal transportation, and regulatory compliance. Revenue generated through project management fees and freight charges.
4. Trade Finance: Trade finance facilities ranging from R1 million to R100 million, designed for South African exporters and importers. Revenue is earned through interest and financial service fees on the financing provided.
5. Warehousing and Logistics: Bonded and general storage, cross docking, repacking, and palletising of goods. Revenue generated through storage fees and handling charges.
6. FERI Certificate Services: Official sub-agent authorised to issue FERI (Fiche Electronique de Renseignement à l'Importation) Certificates for all cargo imported into or transiting through the Democratic Republic of Congo. Revenue through certificate issuance fees.
7. Marine/Cargo Insurance: Marine insurance services provided in partnership with Marsh Marine (Pty) Ltd, offering advice, service, and rates for cargo insurance. Revenue through insurance advisory commissions or fees.
8. Training Academy: Training and skills development for staff, interns, and industry professionals, supporting skills development in the logistics sector. Revenue through training fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Turners Shipping is a freight management and logistics company that provides international and domestic freight forwarding across air, sea, and road/rail modes, customs clearing and brokerage, project freight for out-of-gauge cargo, FERI certification for DRC shipments, trade finance facilities, marine/cargo insurance, warehousing and distribution, and customs/excise consultancy to enterprise importers and exporters. Services are delivered through four South African offices, an Africa Network covering 30+ countries, and a global partnership with PSA BDP spanning 130+ countries.

Product overview

Turners Shipping is a comprehensive Freight Management and Logistics company offering a broad portfolio of integrated services. The core offering consists of Air Freight, Sea Freight, and Road & Rail Freight services supported by Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding capabilities. The company differentiates through specialized services including Project Freight for out-of-gauge cargo, FERI Certification for DRC imports, Trade Finance facilities (R1 million to R100 million), and Cargo Insurance. The technology platform is anchored by Athena, a proprietary SaaS platform built on Microsoft's .NET framework that provides end-to-end logistics management including booking, tracking, compliance, and document management with Virtual Intelligence analytics. Regional coverage includes the Africa Network spanning 30+ countries and the Global Network via PSA BDP partnership covering 130+ countries. Additional services encompass Warehousing & Distribution, Customs and Excise Consultancy, Cross Trade Routing, and Training Academy. The company operates from Durban (head office), Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Air Freight International and domestic airfreight services including door-to-door, urgent, and high-value cargo handling; Turners Shipping is an accredited IATA airfreight agent operating to and from all International and Domestic Airports in South Africa.
• Sea Freight International and coastal sea freight services using international partnerships for local expertise, landside operations, and equipment access worldwide, including LCL and FCL options.
• Road & Rail Freight Cross-border and domestic road and rail freight services, with South Africa as the gateway into Southern Africa; managed by a dedicated Transport Desk handling consolidations, cross-docking, mode selection, and load integration.
• Customs Clearing Customs clearing and brokerage services with expert teams possessing in-depth knowledge of customs regulations, including import/export permit applications and customs tariff consultations.
• Freight Forwarding Comprehensive freight forwarding services as the South African partner for PSA BDP, providing global logistics solutions through international partnerships and affiliations.
• Project Freight Specialised project logistics for out-of-gauge and abnormal cargo via air, sea, and road freight, including turnkey project management for oil and gas, defence and military, heavy manufacturing, earthmoving equipment, mining cargo, and energy sector shipments.
• FERI Certification Services Official sub-agent authorised to issue FERI (Fiche Electronique de Renseignement à l'Importation) Certificates for all cargo imported into or transiting through the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 24-hour turnaround and full administrative support.
• Trade Finance Trade finance and logistics packages ranging from R1 million to R100 million, designed for South African exporters and importers, combining freight management expertise with financial support and terms of up to 120 days subject to credit approval.
• Cargo Insurance Marine insurance services provided in partnership with Marsh Marine (Pty) Ltd, offering advice, service, and competitive rates for cargo coverage across the supply chain.
• Warehousing & Distribution Bonded and general storage and handling facilities throughout South Africa, including cross-docking, repacking, and palletising, with strategic alliances for full and part-load distribution.
• Customs Consultancy Customs tariff consultancy services staffed by experienced ex-customs officers providing professional advice on South African customs systems and freight forwarding.
• Excise Consultancy Specialist excise division services including consultancy, supply chain legislative compliance, account maintenance, compliance assessments, audits, and training.
• Cross Trade Routing International cross-trade services enabling clients to access trading opportunities outside South Africa through the network of overseas offices.
• Training Academy Training and skills development for employees, interns, and industry clients, providing holistic understanding of the logistics supply chain, including graduate programme opportunities.
• Mining Cargo Services Specialised logistics services for the mining sector ensuring seamless cargo movement for mining operations across various transport modes.
• Athena Platform Secure online SaaS platform built on Microsoft .NET providing end-to-end logistics management including booking, clearing, forwarding, tracking, compliance, and document management; features Virtual Intelligence analytics for predictive ETAs, forecasting, cost/INCO terms analysis, milestone tracking, ERP integration via APIs, perpetual archival, and immutable audit trails.
• Africa Network Dedicated division specialising in cross-border road, rail, and sea freight across the African continent, spanning over 30 countries with services covering ports, customs, cross-border transport, export documentation, warehouse consolidation, full and part-load road freight, shipment status reports, express and charter freight, and LCL/FCL sea freight.
• Global Network Extended global freight forwarding capabilities through strategic partnership with PSA BDP, providing access to more than 1,000 locations in over 130 countries with integrated operational processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• R10 billion+ annual turnover
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• PSA BDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSA BDP is an international freight logistics company with operations in more than 1,000 locations in over 130 countries. Turners Shipping acts as PSA BDP's South African freight forwarding partner. The two organisations share a similar corporate culture and enjoy integrated operational processes. Turners Shipping's clients benefit from this partnership through access to global expertise, professional services, and personnel on five continents. Operational excellence is the cornerstone of how PSA BDP and its partners conduct business, implementing continuous improvement initiatives to ensure quality customer service.
• Marsh Marine (Pty) LtdsupportingOthersMarsh Marine (Pty) Ltd provides marine insurance partnership for Turners Shipping's cargo insurance services. Highly qualified persons are employed to ensure clients receive the best possible advice, service, and rates for marine and cargo insurance.
• ConnexafricacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConnexafrica operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Zambia (with offices in Ndola, Kasumbalesa, Chirundu, Lusaka, and Nakonde among other locations) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa, Matadi, Boma, Lubumbashi, Kolwezi, and other cities). They handle import/export documentation, cross-border transport, and customs clearance across multiple African trade corridors.
• Grindrod Logistics AfricasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrindrod Logistics Africa operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Eswatini, providing office and bonded warehouse facilities in Matsapha, along with border posts at Mhlumeni/Goba and Ngwenya/Oshoek for cross-border logistics operations.
• Mitchell Cotts FreightcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMitchell Cotts Freight serves as Turners Shipping's agent in Kenya (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi), South Sudan (Juba), and Rwanda (Kigali). They provide import/export document handling and customs clearance services across East African corridors.
• LBH MozambiquesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLBH Mozambique (Head Office in Maputo, with offices in Beira, Moma, and Nacala) serves as Turners Shipping's agent in Mozambique, handling sea freight and cross-border transport operations.
• Kentan Logistics LtdsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKentan Logistics Ltd is Turners Shipping's agent in Tanzania (Dar es Salaam), providing import/export handling and logistics services at Tanzania's major port.
• Mechanised TzsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMechanised Tz serves as Turners Shipping's agent in Tanzania, operating from Samora Tower in Dar es Salaam with sea and airfreight management capabilities.
• OMA GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOMA Group (BDP Agent) operates as Turners Shipping's agent in multiple African countries including Nigeria (Lagos), Cameroon (Douala), Ivory Coast (Abidjan), Togo (Lomé), Tunisia, Niger, Senegal (Dakar), and Mauritania (Nouakchott). They provide comprehensive freight forwarding and customs clearance across West and North African markets.
• Freight Consult Ghana LimitedsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFreight Consult Ghana Limited (BDP Agent) operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Ghana, with offices in Tema (Ocean Freight Office) and Accra (Air Freight Office). Handles import/export documentation requirements for Ghana trade.
• Orey (Angola) / Orey (Moçambique)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrey (Angola) Comercio e Servicos Lda (BDP Agent) in Luanda, Angola and Orey (Moçambique) Comércio e Serviços Ld in Maputo, Mozambique serve as Turners Shipping's agents in these markets, handling freight forwarding and customs clearance.
• Knightsbridge Logistics LtdsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKnightsbridge Logistics Ltd (BDP Agent) is Turners Shipping's agent in Nigeria, operating from Lagos and providing freight forwarding and customs clearance services.
• Upstream LtdsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUpstream Ltd (BDP Agent) serves as Turners Shipping's agent in Uganda (Kampala), providing customs clearance and freight forwarding services.
• Intraspeed East Africa LtdsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntraspeed East Africa Ltd (BDP Agent) operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Uganda (Kampala, Entebbe) and Eswatini, providing airfreight and customs clearance services.
• Imperilog BotswanasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorImperilog Botswana operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Botswana (Gaborone and Lobatse Border Post), handling cross-border documentation and customs requirements for SADC trade corridors.
• Celero LogisticssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCelero Logistics (BDP Agent) operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Mauritius (Port Louis, Plaine Magnien) and Madagascar (Antananarivo), providing freight forwarding and customs clearance services.
• Blackies ConsultantssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlackies Consultants serves as Turners Shipping's agent in Lesotho, handling cross-border trade documentation and customs requirements at Ficksburg, Maseru Bridge, and Caledonspoort border crossings.
• Logistics Support Services (Pty) LtdsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLogistics Support Services (Pty) Ltd operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Namibia (Walvis Bay), providing cross-border logistics and customs clearance services.
• Woker Freight ServicessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWoker Freight Services operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Namibia (Walvis Bay), providing freight services for Namibian trade corridors.
• MFD GroupsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMFD Group operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Mauritius (Freeport Zone, Port Louis), handling freight forwarding services for the island market.
• Mahe Shipping Company LtdsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMahe Shipping Company Ltd (BDP Agent) operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Seychelles (Mahe), providing freight forwarding and customs clearance services.
• Cargo Management LogisticssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargo Management Logistics operates as Turners Shipping's agent in Malawi (Lilongwe, Kamuzu International Airport), handling import/export documentation and cross-border logistics.
• BDP International (Morocco)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBDP International operates as a BDP office in Morocco (Casablanca and Tanger), providing freight forwarding services across North African markets.
• Multitrade North AfricasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMultitrade North Africa (BDP Agent) operates in Tunisia (Tunis), providing freight forwarding and customs clearance services for the Tunisian market.
• Saba International Shipping PLCsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSaba International Shipping PLC (BDP Agent) serves as Turners Shipping's agent in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), handling freight forwarding and customs clearance for Ethiopian trade.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with significant South African and African operations. Directly comparable as a multi-modal freight forwarder offering sea, air, and road freight plus customs brokerage — but operates globally at vastly greater scale than Turners.
• DHL Global Forwarding: Deutsche Post DHL's freight forwarding division with extensive African presence. Comparable across ocean, air, and road freight forwarding plus customs services, but operates as part of a much larger integrated logistics group with global technology and capital advantages.
• DSV A/S: Global transport and logistics provider active across Africa. Comparable as a multi-modal freight forwarder and customs broker, now enlarged through the Schenker acquisition; competes with Turners in South Africa and intra-African corridors.
• Expeditors International: Global logistics company focused on international air and ocean freight forwarding plus customs clearance. Comparable in service mix (air/sea freight, customs, trade compliance) but operates without owned asset intensity and has historically maintained a strong technology focus.
• C.H. Robinson: Major global freight forwarder and 3PL with North American roots expanding into Africa. Comparable as a freight transportation arranger and customs broker, though much larger scale and primarily focused on truckload and ocean in core markets.
• CEVA Logistics: CMA CGM-owned global logistics provider with strong African freight forwarding presence. Comparable across ocean, air, road freight and contract logistics, and competes directly with Turners on intra-African and ocean forwarding lanes.
• Maersk Logistics & Services: A.P. Moller-Maersk's logistics arm offering end-to-end ocean and inland freight plus customs. Comparable on ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and Africa trade corridors, with significantly greater vessel and capital assets.

Direct peers

• Imperial Logistics: South African-headquartered freight, logistics, and market access company. Direct regional peer operating across freight forwarding, customs, warehousing, and distribution in Southern Africa — most comparable on footprint, customer segments, and service mix.
• Bidvest Logistics: South African logistics and freight division of Bidvest Group offering freight forwarding, clearing, and supply chain solutions. Direct South African peer competing on freight forwarding, customs clearing, and warehousing services.
• Grindrod Logistics: South African freight logistics provider with historical sea freight, road, and rail exposure across Southern Africa. Direct regional peer; Turners' Eswatini operations are also supported through a Grindrod agent relationship, evidencing direct market overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLPOXCleKFebtxY5PepKxamv39ETIQ3MWC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/turners-shipping
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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Turners Shipping