"If you're not prepared to pay the money, you simply have to fall back in line – a process that can take hours to complete." In the meantime, South African citrus farmers in Limpopo are on the verge of starting their next export season but, despite Maputo being much closer, might have to send fruit all the way to the Port of Durban because of congestion and corruption at the corridor's crossing*. Moreover, with the developing energy crisis in Europe because of the conflict in Ukraine, South African coal might soon be in high demand to avoid an energy crisis in European countries that are banning Russian oil and gas as part of the west's sanctions squeeze against the Kremlin. Interestingly, more than a week before Russia launched its military offensive against Ukraine on February 24, logistics multinational Grindrod announced expansion plans for enhanced coal-handling capacity at Maputo's terminals – a development that could stand South Africa in good stead should Europe's demand for local coal increase (**).