Mineral traders
and exporters
based in
Gauteng can
now move bulk cargo faster
through Maputo.
Bulk vessels are being
loaded faster and fuller than
ever before in Mozambique’s
Terminal De Carvão da
Matola, (TCM).
Dredging of the Port of
Maputo access channel
from -11 to 14.3 metres has
served as an enabler to other
infrastructure projects,
according to Kemmie
Mahabeer, MPDC senior
operations manager.
Work has started on the
deepening and expansion of
the TCM in preparation for
accommodating Panamaxsized
vessels.
The berth pocket has
been dredged to –15.4
metres below Chart Datum
to allow Panamax vessels to
load fully in Mozambique.
Marine side the works
include the deepening
of the existing berth,
and refurbishment and
extension of the quay offset
by 8.5 metres.
TCM’s largest ship
loader has been modified,
with the boom extended
to load at this offset. An
engineering study is under
way to evaluate the changes
that need to be made to the
second ship loader, where
the modifications will then
be implemented in the
latter half of the year, he
says.
TCM has installed a new
fender support structure
and fender system that
extends the existing quay
into the deepened berth
pocket.
The installations and
modifications were
completed during a 19
calendar day operational
shutdown of the existing
quay. The berth was
reopened on July 5 for
“hot commissioning and
testing”.
From January to June
this year TCM exported
750 000 tons of coal
and 1 800 000 tons of
magnetite – which is up on
last year.
The increased volumes
are due to a combination of
increased demand, as well as
the support being provided
by “our rail partners Transnet
Freight Rail (TFR) and CFM
(Mozambique rail),” he says.
Stock was built up during
the berth outage period in
order to make up volumes
during the rest of the year.
TCM plans to run at
185ktpm (thousand tons per
month) to 200 ktpm of coal
exports for the remainder
of 2017 in addition to the
300ktpm – 350ktpm of
magnetite, according to
Mahabeer.
