The Logistics Achiever Awards honours excellence and innovation in logistics and supply chain management, celebrating organisations that deliver measurable results through effective, sustainable, and world-class practices.

The Platinum Award - the programme’s highest honour - was presented to SATI and Transnova for their innovative collaboration which helped transform one of South Africa’s most challenging export seasons into a story of innovation, resilience, and measurable performance improvement across the agricultural value chain.

According to SATI CEO Mecia Petersen: “This milestone aligns with SATI’s broader objective to maintain and promote South Africa’s reputation as a reliable global supplier of consistent quality table grapes.”

A benchmark for collaborative innovation

SATI first commissioned Transnova Africa to develop the Prescriptive Logistics Model in April 2024 as a proactive response to challenges experienced at the Cape Town Container Terminal that led to significantly longer transit times for table grape exports.

Powered by digital twin technology, the Prescriptive Logistics Model, the first of its kind in South Africa’s agri-export sector, digitally replicates the country’s export network to simulate real-world scenarios, optimise container allocation, and identify the most efficient routes to market.

In Phase 1, using digital twin technology, the model provided industry stakeholders with data-driven insights into the 2023/24 table grape export season’s constraints and identified optimal strategies to mitigate challenges.

In Phase 2, the model transitioned to a tactical planning tool for the 2024/25 season, providing fortnightly recommendations and risk scenarios that enabled growers and exporters to make data-driven decisions. It delivered actionable strategies to mitigate risks, align with market shifts, and optimise route-to-market plans, enhancing the industry’s global competitiveness.

“This Platinum Award is a proud moment for both the industry and our partners,” said Petersen. “By combining SATI’s industry insights with Transnova’s advanced supply chain expertise, we’ve created a model that not only mitigates risk but also enhances competitiveness and trust in South Africa’s fresh produce exports.”

Carsten Schubert, Chief Revenue Officer, of Transnova Africa, added: “The Prescriptive Logistics Model shows how data, collaboration, and innovation can transform supply chains from reactive to predictive. This is more than a logistics tool - it’s a new way of thinking that helps our agriculture sector become more resilient, efficient, and sustainable.”

Expanding the impact beyond grapes

Building on the success of the initiative, SATI and Transnova Africa are now engaging with other fruit industry bodies to extend the model to additional commodities such as citrus and stone fruit. Collaboration with Transnet and the Western Cape Government is also under way to enhance data sharing and institutionalise real-time logistics coordination across South Africa’s perishable export network.

“Together, we are future-proofing South Africa’s agricultural exports and ensuring our produce continues to reach the world - fresh, on time, every time,” said Petersen.