The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) has signed a strategic agreement with the Maputo Grain Terminal Company (MGT) to significantly expand capacity of the port’s grain terminal.
MPDC said in a statement on Friday that it had signed the agreement with MGT in partnership with local producer of corn, wheat flour, pasta and animal feed products, Merec Industries.
“This project aims to increase the terminal’s static capacity from the current 25 000 tonnes to 45 000 tonnes, representing an increase in installed capacity from 170 000 tonnes to 350 000 tonnes per year,” said MPDC.
The total investment for the expansion project is estimated at $5 million.
In recent years, the volume of grain handled at the Port of Maputo has grown consistently. In 2023, the terminal reached a volume of 166 000 tonnes, reflecting the growing demand for grain-handling services in the region.
“With the planned expansion, the next phase of the project will include extending handling services to other grain producers, as well as exploring new opportunities for the export and transit of grain destined for neighbouring countries and the international market,|” said MPDC.
The current terminal consists of five silos, each with a capacity of 5 000 tonnes. MGT plans to build four additional silos, which will significantly increase storage capacity. In addition, investment is planned to improve rail infrastructure to optimise efficiency of the terminal.
The construction of the new silos is expected to take 18 months.
“This investment underlines the commitment of MPDC and its partners to strengthen the logistics capacity and competitiveness of the Port of Maputo in the regional and international market, within the scope of the concession extension agreement signed in February this year,” said MPDC.