Beira terminal sets new handling benchmarks

Beira Logistics Terminals (BLT)

and the port of Beira have set a

new benchmark for the unloading

of bulk cargo – 6500 tons of

fertiliser was discharged and

offloaded in the BLT facility within

24 hours.

An intensified focus on health

and safety meant that the operation

was carried out incident-free,

according to Jonathan Middleton,

BLT general manager.

BLT specialises in the bulk

transfer and handling of all grades

of fertiliser. It handles the product

from vessel to loading onto trucks

for the end user.

Two of the warehouses have

bagging machines able to handle

up to 1 500 tons a day. A mobile

bagging machine adds a further

1 000 tons a day capacity when

needed.

The facility can also handle highvalue

cargo such as copper.

In addition to focusing on health

and safety BLT is working towards

ISO 9001 accreditation, which will

make it a service provider of choice

for the mines and international

fertiliser companies, as well as

other importers and exporters, says

Middleton.

Most of the bulk fertiliser

being handled by BLT in Beira

is dispatched to blenders in

Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

While overall volumes have

been affected by the drought

and foreign exchange challenges

in the two countries, BLT has

secured a greater share of the Beira

fertiliser volumes through the

implementation of systems which

provide customers with greater

control of their stockpiles, as well

as a focus on costs, says Middleton.

Loading systems in the

warehouses allow shippers to use

both flatbeds and bulk trailers.

A number of bulk trailers have

become available following the

closing down or cutting back of coal

mining operations in the region.

In addition, BLT clients are able

to track and monitor their cargo

on-line.

CAPTION

Jonathan Middleton, BLT General

manager.