Initiatives under way to improve corridor competitiveness

Cornelder de
Moçambique (CdM)
– a private joint
venture between
Moçambique Ports and
Railways (CFM) and Cornelder
Holdings based in Rotterdam –
has introduced a number
of initiatives to improve the
competitiveness on the trade
corridors to the port of Beira
from neighbouring countries.
CdM director: commercial,
Miguel de Jenga, identified
two main obstacles to
competitiveness. First the
economic constraints –
particularly for Zimbabwe and
Mozambique – and second
delays due to construction on
the road that links the port
of Beira from the Zimbabwe
border.
“We expect to see very
positive results in the size
of the Mozambican and
Zimbabwean markets when
the economic issues get turned
around and foreign currency
shortages are resolved,” he
said. Furthermore, said De
Jenga, the road construction
would soon be finished and
would immediately benefit the
corridor.
Port authorities were also
finalising the contracting of
a further dredging company
to deepen the port of Beira,
he said. “We expect to be
able to receive larger vessels
with deeper draught during
the course of 2018. This
will enable shipping lines to
bring more direct services
to Beira, especially from the
Middle East and the Indian
sub-continent.”
He added that in order to
fast-track documentation
clearance, CdM would start
implementing modules of its
Navis N4 system by late this
year/early next year. “This
will allow better electronic
collaboration between
the stakeholders in the
transport chain, reducing
the amount of paperwork
required.”
Despite the challenges,
the port of Beira has been
performing above expectation,
returning to double digit
growth at the container and
general cargo terminals.
CAPTION
The port of Beira has been performing above expectation, returning to double-digit growth at
the container and general cargo terminals.