Shipping lines and cargo owners are showing a “lot of interest” in using the expanded and upgraded Maputo container terminal, says Tejas Nataraj, chief executive officer DP World Maputo.
The terminal is one of 78 marine and inland terminals operated by DP World around the globe. This year five hectares of new yard, including a rail terminal, has come on stream to increase capacity to 350 000 TEUs.
By 2020 the terminal will be able to handle 500 000 TEUs, with 300 metres of quayside refurbished and another 350 metres added. There will be three rail-mounted ship to shore (STS) cranes to replace the current rubber-tyred STS units, and the fleet of rubber-tyred gantries (RTGs) will also be increased, according to Nataraj.
“I believe there are significant opportunities on which the trade can capitalise with this new capacity,” he says. Dubai World plans to continue investing in the terminal, he adds. “Even with the new capacity organic growth will quickly fill it up, so more needs to come on stream."
Maputo’s capacity is being increased to a planned one million TEUs a year.
“There is a lot of interest from the shipping community and also the cargo owners now to explore the opportunities. This will have a multiplier effect in terms cascading investment,” he says.
DP World Maputo’s target market is primarily hinterland markets in South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, with a potential of 1.5 million TEUs if the port succeeds in regaining its historic role of being a gateway for trade with the region.
DP World is also offering value-added logistics within the port, at the Maputo Intermodal Container Depot.
“We have set up a depot to support the flow of regional cargo for stuffing. “We have already seen the volumes ramp up considerably in the last few months, so the investments in capability are paying off,” says the company.
CAPTION
By 2020 the terminal will be able to handle 500 000 TEUs.
