Beira upbeat as infrastructure projects gain momentum

The Port of Beira has seen a steady increase in project cargo volumes destined for the hinterland as well as other parts of Mozambique. According to Kanishk Jaiswal, project logistics manager for Beira Logistics Terminals Projects (BLT Projects), these volumes are expected to continue increasing as a number of infrastructure projects  in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi gain momentum. Whether it’s mining investments, bridge and road construction, airport upgrades or power stations, the outlook for the project sector, he said, was extremely positive. “Another driving force will be the natural gas exploration projects in the north of Mozambique that will present a whole different set of challenges and requirements that will need very specialised solutions,” he told FTW. He said BLT had been gearing up for the projected volume increases for some time, having integrated all of its existing facilities and offices in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi to provide customers with a complete end-to-end solution from the  Port of Beira to the final destination. He said the company also worked closely with its two sister companies, Independent Beira Logistics Terminals and Services for storage requirements and Specialized
Transport which has gradually been increasing its fleet of low beds and specialised trailers to carry-out-of gauge and heavy cargo. This, he said, helped reduce delays, one of the biggest challenges faced. “Because the port caters to the hinterland, the majority of the cargo we handle is for third countries,” said Jaiswal. “The customs systems between neighbouring countries are not very integrated. This often leads to delays at borders.” These delays impacted significantly on cost, said Jaiswal. “Cargo not removed from the port within a specified period of time comes with additional charges. We are able to ensure this does not happen at the port, but often trucks are stuck at the border and that leads to additional truck detention charges.” According to Jaiswal detailed route feasibility surveys are a must considering the limitations for
moving heavy cargo on the Beira corridor – be it roads or bridges or both. “These surveys have to be carried out well in advance for moving heavy and critical cargo,” he said – and even more so following Cyclone Idai which  left the roads in very poor condition. “In March, just before the Cyclone, two heavy lift units arrived for delivery to Lake Malawi, but following the cyclone it was impossible to move the already loaded trucks on the proposed route.” Jaiswal said with a deadline fast approaching they had opted to hire a barge, shipping the loaded trucks from Beira to the Port of Quelimane. “From there we continued on to Malawi by road. It was the first time that a project of this nature was executed through the Ports of Beira and Quelimane.”