Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Border Beat
Imports and Exports
Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border

08 May 2025 - by Eugene Goddard
Tankers queue for kilometres at Mozambique’s Ressano Garcia border with South Africa. Source: Transit Assistance Bureau
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

Customs in Mozambique has implemented an escort measure to curb the smuggling of fuel between the Port of Maputo and the Ressano Garcia Border Post, but Hazchem carriers fear it has created a dangerous situation for tanker drivers, property, and people in nearby areas.

Mike Fitzmaurice, regional vice president of the African Union’s Organisation for Transport and Logistics, said the convoys are done twice daily by a private security company contracted by Autoridade Tributária de Moçambique (ATM), Mozambique’s revenue authority.

He said hundreds of tankers arrive at the N4 Maputo Corridor every day and are first amassed into the Kilometre Four truck waiting area on the Mozambican side of the border, before being allowed to cross over to South Africa to an area known as “The Canopies”.

“They all arrive at the border at the same time and it’s causing massive backlogging.”

According to the ATM, the measure was apparently implemented to stop fuel theft.

“They (Customs) claim they discovered that criminal elements in Mozambique have found ways to bypass cargo seals and are offloading fuel in Mozambique.”

Although it is most likely possible that organised crime syndicates have indeed figured out a way to bypass technologically advanced cargo seals, and have the necessary means to store or move significant quantities of fuel, it doesn’t add up, Fitzmaurice said.

“I find it very strange because they have four seals on each tanker – one on the front and two on the second trailer at the loading compartments. They also have a seal on the first trailer at the rail.”

He said if one of these seals is tampered with or bypassed through GPS signal jamming, it immediately shows up through telematics.

It is understood that tankers are gathered in Matola outside the port, from where they are arranged into convoys before being cleared to proceed to the border.

“You can imagine how long these convoys are and how many trucks are escorted to Ressano.”

Fitzmaurice said it is neither safe nor a progressive prevention strategy, as the relatively short distance from the port to the border – about 80 kilometres – would enable response vehicles to be dispatched once seal tampering is flagged by a control room.

“These seals can be tracked wherever a truck goes. The moment a truck veers off course or a seal is tampered with, the control room monitoring that truck should know.

“Surely there’s a more professional and non-hazardous way to secure the safe transportation of flammable liquid.”

He added that yesterday two loading permits went missing – permits that are issued by ATM during loading in Matola, claimed by the security company in question, and handed back to transporters at Ressano.

“Customs denied the whereabouts of the permits, and so did the security company,” Fitzmaurice said.

It has since emerged that Mozambique could be in contravention of several regulations signatories are supposed to adhere to regarding the road transportation of Hazchem.

These include regulations set down by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECE), and which are agreed to by the Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including Mozambique.

Transporters are also advised to familiarise themselves with the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework for risk-based border control and trade facilitation as it pertains to high-risk goods like fuel.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Nigeria moves to end cabotage waivers

Sea Freight

The government has launched a maritime joint venture to boost the local shipping industry.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

Africa must raise energy tariffs to attract investment

Africa

Tariff policies in many countries have kept electricity prices artificially low.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

SACU ‘should be renegotiated’ to benefit the region

Imports and Exports

Namibia says the restrictions on imports are justified to support industries to become self-sufficient.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

Business driving growth amid political divide

Economy

The provincial governments need business to become involved in upgrading the logistics infrastructure of roads, rail, ports and airports.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

Majority union at Transnet downs tools

Logistics

The company, responsible for rail and port cargo, remains in a precarious financial state.

14 May 2025
0 Comments

Thought leaders talk Trump and tariffs at Nampo Harvest Day

Economy

Landman remarked that it all came down to Ramaphosa’s visit to Washington next week.

14 May 2025
0 Comments

SA avocado growers ship first fruit of season to China

Imports and Exports

The country’s total avocado exports were just over 81 000 tonnes in 2024 with just a fraction heading to this new market.

14 May 2025
0 Comments

China Airlines announces Boeing 777X orders

Air Freight

As the world's largest twin-engine jet, the B777X-9 uses 20% less fuel and has a range of 7 295 nautical miles (13 510 km).

14 May 2025
0 Comments

US retailers welcome pause on China tariffs

Imports and Exports

The move paves the way for a fair and balanced trade relationship, says the National Retail Federation.

14 May 2025
0 Comments

RFA celebrates 50 years of road freight industry dedication

Road/Rail Freight

The RFA is the unified voice of South Africa's road freight industry, known for its advocacy, leadership, and commitment to sustainable transport.

14 May 2025
0 Comments

OPINION: Sars customs cadets training – can the private sector assist?

Customs

Trade has welcomed the initiative, mainly due to an exodus of experienced officers over the past few years.

14 May 2025
0 Comments

On-point logistics buys peace of mind for agri brand

Imports and Exports

Trusted transport and customs clearing ensure value chain integrity for pellet machine manufacturer.

13 May 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

The Cape 16 May 2025

Border Beat

The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
12 May 2025
Border police turn the tide on illegal crossings
29 Apr 2025
BMA officials arrested for enabling illegal immigration
24 Apr 2025
More

Featured Jobs

Seafreight Export Controller

Tiger Recruitment
Cape Town
15 May

Import Manager (NVOCC)

Switch Recruit
Eastrand
15 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us