Port of Maputo outlines 2020 growth vision

28th February 2014 By: Sashnee Moodley - Senior Deputy Editor Polity and Multimedia

The Port of Maputo, in Mozambique, has devised a business strategy to ensure it reaches its target of handling 40-million tons of cargo by the end of 2020, following its success in exceeding 17-million tons in 2013.

In 2012, the port handled 15-million tons, the highest ever achieved in the history of the port. With this new record, the port is on track to meet the target set in its strategic plan for 2020.

To reach its target for 2020, the Port of Maputo will rely on the completion of a range of master plan projects, such as the dredging of the access channel from the current –11 m to –14 m, which will enable larger vessels to access the port. Several minor rehabilitation and construction projects are in progress, such as infrastructure work, including quayside strengthening, warehouses and roads, which will enable the port to meet the ever-increasing demand.

Maputo Port Development Company com- mercial director Johann Botha tells Engineering News that all the projects being embarked on are based on reaching the 40-millon-ton milestone and adds that long-term commercial agreements have been signed with customers for specific business that makes the realisation of the aggressive growth strategy achievable.

“We are expecting to end 2014 with 20-mil- lion tons and to continue breaking this record until we reach 40-million tons in 2020. Our master plan extends to 2033 and, by that time, we hope to grow to a throughput of 50-million tons,” he states.

The business consists mainly of bulk minerals, specifically ferrochrome, chromite ore, iron-ore, coal and magnetite, but an increase in container and car volumes has been registered.

Last year’s increase was not limited to cargo volume – it extended to several areas, such as the recruitment of 116 young trainees who joined the company after they had completed training provided in the field of equipment operators, which included forklifts, payloaders, tractors and crane operators, as well as support services such as tally clerks, electricians and mechanics.

Of the 116 trainees, 88 are employed full time by the port, 19 have been transferred to a stevedoring company that operates within the port and 9 are still in training.

Meanwhile, the implementation plans for port expansion have also had a high impact on local businesses, with more than $34-million being invested in the acquisition of the services of domestic companies in the sectors of construction, transport, stevedoring and catering.

Botha notes that the highest investments were recorded last year, together with the completion of some of the major projects, including the rehabilitation of all internal roads, the expansion works of Gate 1, which currently comprises five lanes instead of two, a new shed to export rock phosphate – the shed will handle 500 000 t/y and will form part of the new bulk terminal planned for construction in 2015 – as well as the expansion of several other terminals.

Investment in maritime operations also increased last year, which increased the port’s efficiency in navigation without tide restrictions.

The port acquired two tug boats at a collective value of about €12-million, a pilot boat valued at €1.2-million, one hydrographic survey boat, survey equipment and tide gauges.