Sunday heralded a record for the Port of Maputo when 147 545 tonnes of magnetite on board the Navios Canary left the Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM) for China.
Terminal operator Grindrod said: “This is the biggest shipment in the port’s history – a new record since the shipment of 121 000 tonnes in May this year.”
The logistics company added that the shipment had involved meticulous planning and a collaborative effort by all parties, including the customer, Maputo Port Development Company marine services, the vessel agent, and TCM operations.
Among other things, it ensured that the necessary personnel rallied around to secure successful loading and departure.
Grindrod Freight Services CEO, Xolani Mbambo, said: “Investment in the port and exceptional teamwork has allowed us to deliver the most efficient and cost-effective customer solution.”
The record once more confirms the improvements to the port to handle Capesize vessels, dry cargo carriers too large to transit through the Suez or Panama canals.
In 2017, dredging work deepened the TCM berth pocket to 15.5 metres, enabling the port to target post-Panamax vessels.
Subsequently, TCM was able to receive its first Capesize earlier this year
