Innovation pumps up Maputo capacity

Ore vessels of up
to 74 000 tons
can now be fully
loaded in the port
of Maputo thanks to some
innovative thinking.
The previous limitation of
50 000 tons (with vessels then
going to Richards Bay for a
“top up”) was overcome by
the installation of Yokohama
Fenders which keep the
vessel four metres away
from the quayside and in the
deeper water of the channel,
according to Johann Botha,
commercial director of the
Maputo Port Development
Company (MPDC).
In addition, the current
investment in the dredging of
the channel from a draught of
-11m to-14.2m will ensure that
vessels of 120 000 dwt can
enter the port.
The deepening and
widening of the channel will
allow for fully laden vessels to
easily navigate the approach
channel.
MPDC has continued
to invest in the port
infrastructure despite a
drop in bulk volumes due
to the global reduction in
commodity exports, he says.
Capacity in the ferrochrome
terminal has been increased
from 1 million to 4.5 million
tons through a phased
expansion programme,
with the final phase being
completed on August 31 this
year.
The investment is aimed at
helping exporters to reduce
costs, according to Botha.
“We have proactively tried
to keep costs down in order to
support our clients,” he says.
MPDC has not increased
its fees for the past four years,
and this year the port tariffs
were reduced.
The company is now
working with other
stakeholders to reduce
regulatory charges, which
include border costs.
On the shipping side the
efficiencies and planning
have been improved to keep
the waiting period down to
an average of 16 hours from
arrival to berthing.
New mobile cranes and
loading equipment have
improved efficiencies at the
quayside.
Overall, the result is that
the port of Maputo remains
very competitive in terms of
rates and productivity, he says.