Agricultural exports rerouting via Maputo

A philosophy of “trying not to
complicate things for our client”
is paying off for one of the newest
companies on the block – Our
Corridor Logistics (OCL).
Founded by former Port Maputo
CEO Jorge Ferraz, OCL’s branch
manager is Irina Luis, who worked
for Fresh Produce Terminals in the
port.
Her background in the handling
of citrus and reputation in the
industry helped secure the first
citrus shipments for the fledgling
company, which officially opened its
doors in February 2013.
Fruit is graded and boxed in the
Mpumalanga and Limpopo areas
and transported to Maputo for
cooling and storage. OCL handles
the packing of the containers to
order.
Lemons, oranges and grapefruit
are routed through Maputo to
Europe, the Middle East, and the
Far East. OCL provides clearing and
logistics services.
“We have developed a good client
base that is now using Maputo in
preference to Durban,” says Ferraz.
The opening of OCL was good
timing as it coincided with the
introduction of Mozambique’s
‘Single Window’ customs system.
“Some of the older companies
found it difficult to adapt to the
change. We were geared up for it
from the start,” says Ferraz.
In its first months the company
provided clearing services for a
number of projects.
Management’s understanding
of the workings of the port and
customs, as well as a focus on
“keeping logistics simple and
cost effective” has helped OCL to
continue to diversify.
It recently “came out first” in
trial shipments of wood pulp out of
Mpumalanga, according to Luis.
“Being small, we can adapt
quickly to the needs of clients,” she
says.
“But, we are making sure that
flexibility is built into the company
as we grow,” she adds.
OCL also handles in-transit
shipments of chrome, timber and
other cargoes through the port
of Maputo, as well as shipments
through other ports.
At the beginning of 2013 OCL
was appointed to handle
the logistics for the
importation of the
first modular hotel
for the northern
port city of Pemba.
A total of 35
modules for the hotel was shipped
from Spain and delivered to the site
in July 2013 for assembly.
Ferraz, who is managing director
of OCL, says the ultimate objective
is to offer a full door-to-door service
to clients.
Apart from various operational
arrangements in the various
Mozambican ports, OCL also works
in partnership with the Metreta
group to provide a full range of
services along the full length of the
Maputo Corridor.