Swazi shippers back Goba corridor development

The development of the
Goba Corridor, which runs
from Matsapha in Swaziland
to Maputo in Mozambique,
remains high on the agenda
for both countries.
According to Kholwaphi
Dlamini, a corporate planner
for Swazi Rail, the rail corridor
is crucial because Maputo is
the closest port to Swaziland.
“Both governments, along
with the various stakeholders,
have signed an agreement to
promote the Goba corridor as
well as the Maputo port.
“Swazi Rail and
Mozambique Ports and
Railways (CFM) are working
towards the full integration of
the train service,” he said.
According to Dlamini,
the major commodity being
conveyed so far has been
sugar, but export containers
are now also being consigned
on the corridor.
“In 2007 some 107 728
tons of sugar were transported.
This year we are already at
106 000 tons with the season
not yet finished, while 24 400
containers have been moved.”
Dlamini said the use of the
Maputo port was providing
Swaziland with a competitive
advantage based on the
beneficial transport costs
of export and import goods
compared to other ports in
South Africa.
The corridor, which starts
in the heart of Swaziland’s
industrial area, Matsapha, is
now also being used to import
cement from Maputo, despite
the quantitities being limited to
700 tonnes plus per month.
“With a rail distance of
only 230km we are extremely
positive about the development
of the corridor and the
opportunities it offers to Swazi
factories,” said Dlamini.