Energy supply and logistics specialist Oiltanking has purchased a stake in petroleum storage company Galana Mozambique, giving it access to an indirect shareholding in two terminal projects for the storage and handling of bulk petroleum and chemical products in the ports of Matola and Beira.
The terminal in Matola is currently under construction and will be operational in the second quarter of 2016, according to Oiltanking. Its initial capacity will be 51 000 cbm with land available for further development. It has access to a jetty with a draught of 11 metres. In addition, it will be equipped with rail- and truck-loading facilities to serve southern Mozambique and neighbouring countries like Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the northern provinces of South Africa.
Another terminal is slated to be built in Beira. Currently at the development stage, it will facilitate imports into the central part of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On completion, the Matola terminal will be operated by Oiltanking and branded as Oiltanking Mozambique.
“Mozambique is one of the main transit hubs for petroleum products on Africa’s east coast. The present transaction will further strengthen our presence in Africa and enhance our ability to serve new market segments on the east coast of the continent,” a spokesman said.
Mauritius-based Galana Mozambique is a privately owned group of companies specialising in trading, shipping, terminal storage and distribution of refined petroleum products in East and Southern Africa, as well as the Indian Ocean Islands.
Oiltanking is a Hamburg-based family-owned company that operates in the fields of energy supply, trading and logistics.