Mozambique is set to be the focus area for logistics, shipping and transport companies looking for growth in Africa as work starts on the much-anticipated Rovuma Basin gas fields.
“Projects for the construction, operation and management of LNG facilities in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado are currently being decided by the government of Mozambique and the relevant head partnership agreements being drafted to the value of $50-$80 billion – making it Africa's largest industrial project ever,” says the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA).
A market briefing is being hosted at the Southern Sun Maputo on January 28.
It is intended to bring together the various stakeholders from national and provincial government, oil and gas operators, project developers, construction, finance and professional services to understand the legal framework, finance and project opportunities, and overall infrastructure plans and constraints, according to CTA.
Most of the larger logistics-related companies in Mozambique have already set up operations in northern ports which will serve the gas fields in anticipation of a boom.
Exploration of the gas fields has already generated millions of rand worth of work for logistics support companies, and the next phase could see unprecedented demand for the handling of project cargo, followed by the export of LNG (liquefied natural gas) and possibly refined petroleum.
Activities have, however, been affected by the drop in the oil price.
The exploitation of the gas fields could see Mozambique become one of the world’s top exporters of LNG.
There are also plans for a gas to fuel refinery, as well as a gas-fired power station.
Final investment decisions are due to be announced before the end of the first quarter of 2016, according to the CTA.
