Name and Location
Botswana/Mozambique deep-water port and railway line project.

Project Description
The project will involve the development of an onshore deep-water port at Techobanine point, in the southern district of Matatuine, in Mozambique.

The envisaged port will be able to receive bulk mineral ships, oil tankers and passenger vessels. The project will also include the construction of a 1 100-km heavy bulk railway line, which will link the eastern Botswana town of Serule to the new port at Techobanine. It will pass through Zimbabwe and connect to Botswana's railway line at Selebi-Phikwe, the country's copper mining town.

It is hoped that the new railway line will help increase Botswana's import and export outlets, and improve its transportation links with other countries. The country's coal industry is mainly expected to make use of the port on completion.

Botswana believes that the new port and railway line will help reduce the time taken to transport its imports and exports. With the country's reliance on South African ports, it takes up to 22 days for merchandise to arrive, to be unloaded and reach its destination. It is hoped that the port will reduce this period to an average of six days.

Value
The budget for studies and for the construction of both the port and the railway is estimated at $7-billion.

Duration
The preparatory phase, including the mobilisation of finance, is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2011, with the first phase of construction scheduled to begin between 2012 and 2015.

Client
Mozambique's Ministério dos Transportes e Comunicações (MTC) and Botswana's Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

Latest Developments
In July 2010, the governments of Botswana and Mozambique signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), in Techobanine, to develop the project. The MoU marks the rebirth of a vision to develop a deep-water port in Matatuine, which dates back to the 1960s.

However, owing to some environmental concerns, the original site of Dobela point had to be reconsidered.

Further, the governments of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique also signed access agreements, paving the way for the start of the project.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
MTC, tel +258 2 132 0223 or fax +258 2 135 9816.
Botswana's Ministry of Transport and Communications, tel +267 361 2000,fax +267 390 7236 or email enquiries@mcst.gov.bw.