The Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI) was created to address the lack of efficiencies on the Maputo Corridor, some of which still remain in place. Enormous political will has however resulted in continued investment in improvements of key infrastructure which has been responsible for the stellar increase in volumes along the corridor in recent years, says MCLI CEO Barbara Mommen. The MCLI outlined the developments and problems facing greater use of the route connecting industrial Johannesburg with Maputo’s port via the Lebombo border post recently. “The border crossing ultimately controls the potential of the Maputo Corridor which stands and falls by how fast and easy it is to cross the border between Mozambique and South Africa. Inefficiency at the border means inefficiency along the entire route,” said Mommen. While the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border post is currently open for 18 hours, the goal of 24/7 operations has still not been met. This, along with the very slow progress on the implementation of the One Stop Border Post, pose very serious threats to the competitiveness of the corridor, says Mommen. “The Single Electronic Window system was implemented by Mozambican Customs last year and this process has greatly improved the flow of cargo through the border, despite initial teething problems. While these continue to be dealt with, the implementation of the Single Electronic Window is a crucial step towards best practice in customs clearing and modernisation.” The increased electronic interface makes it harder for corrupt customs officials to hold up shipments by demanding bribes for services. However, progress has been positive and the investment of $204million in the doubling and electrification of the railway line between Ressano Garcia and Maputo will go a long way towards increasing rail efficiencies which are much needed in view of the increasing bulk cargo volumes being transported on the corridor, she added. Clearly more needs to be done to attract SA shippers to Maputo’s port. The drop in the coal price has seen an underutilisation of the Grindrod coal terminal, but the port has implemented a plan to take up the excess capacity by moving other bulk cargo to the terminal for handling at Matola. Salgaocar Swaziland, whose iron ore tailings are moved by rail at cheaper rail freight costs offered by Swaziland Railway, is possibly the Maputo port’s single biggest customer. Even so, Swaziland Railway is operating at only 50% capacity to Maputo. MCLI stakeholders say charges to ship to Mozambique by Transnet Freight Rail must be lowered to encourage more SA shipping to Maputo. With just over 15 000 tons of bulk cargo moving through the border on a daily basis, the need for additional rail capacity has never been keener. INSERT & CAPTION The Maputo Corridor stands and falls by how fast and easy it is to cross the border. – Barbara Mommen
