MPDC MD Osario Lucas and TNPA CEO Tau Morwe
Photo by: Duane Daws
South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the Maputo Ports Development Company (MPDC), of Mozambique, signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday, opening the way for collaboration on various activities, from infrastructure development to marine services and training.
The deal was framed as part of an ambition by both organisations to foster greater regional integration and trade. It was also presented as a possible forerunner to similar agreements with other ports in the region.
TNPA CEO Tau Morwe insisted that the deal was not designed to shield the South African and Mozambican port systems from competition. Instead, the intention was to improve coordination and planning in line with the Southern African Development Community protocol on maritime transportation – the protocol encourages countries to use ports that are in closest proximity to the cargo source.
Speaking at a signing ceremony in Johannesburg, MPDC MD Osario Lucas said that it had already shared its 20-year port master plan for Maputo with both TNPA and Transnet Freight Rail in an effort to foster a regional approach to improving logistics efficiency.
He argued that greater cooperation and coordination would be in the interests of the MPDC and its customers, as 80% of the cargo handled by the facility originated in South Africa.
Morwe particularly saw growth potential arising in the area of natural gas, with Mozambique planning to export gas in the coming years and South Africa planning to build liquefied natural gas import capacity at locations such as Mossel Bay.