BMW investigates Maputo option

Leonard Neill BMW SOUTH Africa is looking into the viability of using southern African ports in addition to Durban for its exports, but so far infrastructural inadequacies have stymied any decisions, according to managing director Ian Robertson. Addressing the Exporters Club of South Africa - Johannesburg recently, he said that existing rail facilities were the barrier. Durban serves the company suitably at present, but the growth in export volumes would encourage use of additional harbours, he said. Developments in Maputo are clearly of interest to the company. Its close proximity to the manufacturing base makes it a viable proposition. Container handling within the harbour is adequate, but right now the rail system from the South African border to Maputo is in urgent need of repair. This will be undertaken by Spoornet under its concession agreement with the Mozambique rail authorities, and work is scheduled to start next month. It is anticipated that the 80km track will be fully operational within three years. Discussing the possibility of using East London’s car exporting facilities, Robertson said: “The port has the best car terminal of all, and is ideal for handling purposes. But we have a problem with the rail system. It needs rehabilitation, and there is the serious matter of having to change trains four or five times between Pretoria and East London. “That is of no value to us. It means delays and the ships are not going to stand in the harbour waiting for our cars to get there. They want them ready for loading when they enter the port. “I know the government is fully aware of the problem. They have been giving the rail line to East London a good deal of attention. For now, however, we cannot use the route until it meets our requirements.” The third alternative to BMW, that of Walvis Bay for shipments to the north American continent, cannot be considered until a rail line - now being investigated - is laid across Botswana linking Gauteng to the west coast port.