Covid-19 has had positive and negative impacts on the movement of bulk cargoes in Mozambique, says Karel Meyer, managing director MESA and Asia for Sealandair.“On the one hand getting bulk cargoes into the port in Mozambique has been far more challenging due to the lockdown and quarantine policies imposed. Restrictions on mining production, the closure of borders, and the massive delays experienced at border posts that are still operating have all played a role.”He says delays have been experienced across the supply chain, often calling for innovative solutions to ensure cargo still makes sailing times and reaches final destinations on time.On the up side, however, more bulk cargo has switched to rail.“It has been very encouraging to see the uptake in rail. It is being used as a mode of transport far more than previously.”This is being attributed to the Covid-19 delays at border posts where trucks are standing for days on end waiting to cross. “It is much easier at present to move across borders via rail and customers are opting to get their bulk shipments to port using rail more and more.”It has allowed rail the opportunity to perform, showing that it can compete with road transport in the bulk space, says Meyer.“Our hope is that customers continue to use rail as it will take the pressure off the road infrastructure while at the same time creating capacity for more road-friendly cargo. In the bulk space rail really is a favourable option.”Notwithstanding the need for more infrastructure investment in rail, the past few months have shown that rail, when given a fair chance, can work. “This could be the mindset change needed for the region,” he says.Commenting on bulk volumes out of Mozambique, Meyer said minerals in particular had been impacted by the buying power – or lack thereof – in China. “From the beginning of the year the volumes have seen a slight downward trend, but we remain optimistic that with China opening up again this will change.”He said in the Port of Maputo there was ongoing investment to improve and upgrade the infrastructure. “This has been the case throughout the lockdown. It is very encouraging for the logistics industry to see the commitment on the port side to improve operations as they continue to invest in new machines and new methods of cargo handling.“This has geared Maputo as the prime port for the eastern region’s bulk mineral exports,” he says.
