Import cargo crucial to Maputo’s growth potential

If Maputo is to realise its growth potential and become a costcompetitive alternative to Durban, it will need to go all out to attract transit import cargo. It’s one of the clear targets of clearing and logistics company Metreta Investments and has, for some time, been a clear focus of the Port of Maputo. “To reduce the costs on the corridor we have to get transit import cargo going through the port,” says Metreta Investments director Jan Bekker, who estimates that the cost of moving a container between Gauteng and Maputo is probably double the rate to Durban. That’s because trucking companies and bulk carriers are costing it on 100% empty return while flatbed carriers would be costing on around 80% empty return, according to Bekker. “If we could start attracting bulk imports like coking coal, sulphur and fertiliser, these would provide return loads and reduce the cost of transport on the inland leg.” The problem is that a lot of bulk imports like fertiliser need undercover storage – and there isn’t a lot available either in the port or outside. It’s an issue that Metreta is looking to address through an agreement with Mozambique-based logistics company Our Corridor Logistics (OCL). Former head of the Maputo Port Development Company, Jorge Ferraz, set up OCL in February this year as a joint venture with Metreta – and warehousing is high on their agenda. “We have earmarked a few warehouses already and by early next year we plan to have dedicated under-cover and open storage warehousing for specific products – both imports and exports – up and running,” Bekker told FTW. “Ideally we would do packing of bulk commodities, containerising and general cargo. “And through our operation in Maputo with OCL, we are looking to grow business to and from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.” The idea of the joint venture, says Ferraz, is to make corridor trade as simple as possible for our clients – importers and exporters requiring logistics solutions for their transit cargo – by finding viable solutions. “The way we do it is by having people in both companies with knowledge of the processes and current available resources in the region to put together a package that is both efficient and seamless for the shipper.” Bekker, whose involvement on the corridor spans more than a decade, was sales and business development manager for the Maputo Container Terminal before setting up Metreta Investments with well-known industry personality Eddie Ferreira. The Komatipoort-based company was established to provide total logistics solutions on the Maputo corridor. Along with Delta Clearing, a separate clearing company run by Hester Ferreira, Bekker estimates that some 400 plus trucks a day are handled by the two companies through the border. While volumes through the port have taken a dive this year for a variety of reasons, among them the poor chrome price, Metreta has secured a large contract for the movement by road of iron ore to Maputo, according to Bekker. “Our strength at this stage is in bulk road haul moves to the port but we are growing our container business where we reposition containers into South Africa and pack for export. One of our contracts is for the movement of logs in 40-foot containers, packed in White River for onward transport to South East Asia.” Looking to the future, Bekker is upbeat.“If commodity prices are right, business can only grow.” CAPTION 1 Jan Bekker … ‘Our strength at this stage is in bulk road haul moves.’ CAPTION 2 Jorge Ferraz … ‘making corridor trade as simple as possible.’