The strategy adopted by the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) and DP World Maputo to focus on developing corridors to support investment in the port complex is paying off.In its annual results report, MPDC reported that the Port of Maputo had moved a record volume of 31.2 million tons in 2023, which is 16% growth over 2022.Of the 31.2 million tons handled, approximately 25m were made up of ores, including chromium, ferrochrome, magnetite, coal, phosphate ore, vanadium, titanium, copper, and vermiculite, among others.“The handling of these cargoes ref lects the diversification strategy on which the Port of Maputo has focused in recent years,” commented Osório Lucas, MPDC’s chief executive officer.He said a point to highlight was the more balanced distribution of the volumes transported.While 61% was handled by road, 39% was transported by rail, indicating a significant increase of 8.4% in rail use compared to the previous year, thus also setting a new record for the Port of Maputo.Grindrod, a 24.7% partner in the MPDC, has developed an alternative to the Maputo Corridor and is working on strengthening the rail links.In its August interim report for the first six months of 2023, Grindrod reported that “the Eswatini multimodal corridor operation, which provides customers in the Mpumalanga area with an alternative route to Maputo and Matola export terminals, performed well, enabling export dry bulk volume growth of 143% through this rout e”.Turning to rail, the report states: “Grindrod has made several strides in its rail business. Grindrod is collaborating with Transnet Freight Rail and Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM) on the ongoing initiative to move cargo on trains running seamlessly between South Africa and Mozambique. “Grindrod’s strategic relationship and cooperation with Zambia Railways, Eswatini Rail and CFM has resulted in the re-establishment of Grindrod’s rail activities in Zambia and an increase in traffic f low between Eswatini and Mozambique through seamless train operations. Grindrod’s strategic relationship with the National Railways of Zimbabwe has been strengthened.”The MPDC continues to invest in the port to cater for the additional volumes.Further investment will follow, with the government of Mozambique issuing an “in-principle” approval to MPDC in December to extend the current concession from 2033 until 2058.“This will facilitate increased investment to expand port handling capacity, increase efficiencies, and enhance customer service,” said Grindrod in a statement welcoming the decision.This follows the opening of the $4.4-million Pessene Traffic Management Park, which provides temporary parking and processing for up to 250 trucks outside the port.MPDC recently increased the bulk capacity to 12.4 million tons a year through a $6.9-million investment in a three-hectare hardstand.DP World has set up a dry port near the Komatipoort border to facilitate the movement of containers to and from its quayside in the Port of Maputo.“Our team sees the ways in which the development of the Maputo Corridor facilitates change for people living alongside it,” says the company on its website.“Businesses are f lourishing, new trade communities are emerging, and quality of life is improving. Developing this corridor doesn’t just mean focusing on trade, but rather improving the infrastructure to enhance the lives of the people of Mozambique and beyond,” it adds.In December 2023, DP World informed its customers that it was implementing a new Cargo Community System (CCS), an automated platform for the generation of quotes and document handling.DP World says it is “on track to expand the container terminal’s capacity to 1 million TEUs” from the current 350 000 TEUs a year.This will include deepening the quayside to 16 metres CD, with the container park being increased from 15 hectares to 30 hectares.The number of reefer points will go from 450 to 800, and vessels will be loaded using 24 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, up from the current total of six.
