Demand for reliable and consistent consolidation services in Mozambique is on the rise, says Reiner Barford of LBH Xpress, a member of the LBH Group. “We are seeing definite growth in the market as industries increasingly seek to move smaller cargoes with timeous delivery,” Barford told Freight News. “This aligns with global trends focused on optimising space and storage, and Mozambique is no exception.”He said LBH Xpress had recently expanded its capacity for both consolidation loads and full truck loads into Mozambique, providing seamless road freight solutions. “We have also introduced an abnormal service that will be operational in two months, utilising a 40-ton low bed combination into the country,” he said. “In addition, we now offer expanded consolidation services to various African regions, including Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola.”According to Barford, Mozambique offers significant opportunities for road freight as more businesses, particularly from Gauteng and surrounding areas, are utilising Maputo port for imports and exports. “We have also seen growing momentum in oil, gas and mining projects, leading to increased demand for specialist goods sourced from South Africa,” he said. This surge highlights Mozambique’s evolving role as a critical logistics hub for regional trade and industrial development. "We are seeing increased volumes, which can be attributed to certain commodities being diverted from Durban and Richards Bay to Maputo," Barford said. "This, along with the uptick in activity within the oil, gas and mining sectors, is driving the demand for road freight services." However, Barford acknowledged that the country presented operational challenges for logistics operators. “Ongoing border delays and poor road conditions, particularly in northern Mozambique, continue to have an impact,” he said. “We address these issues by leveraging LBH-owned offices at KM7 and KM4, along with meticulous route planning to ensure efficient service delivery.” Barford expressed optimism about the future of the country, despite the challenges. “Our outlook is extremely positive, as evidenced by our investment and expansion plans in Mozambique,” he said. “Crucially, significant developments in port infrastructure are under way, which will attract more cargo by enhancing capacity and improving economies of scale. We are also eager to see some positive decisions from the oil and gas sector in the coming weeks regarding increased activity in northern Mozambique.” LV
