Local knowledge and contacts help speed up the movement of freight in and out of Mozambique, says Frederico Dengo of MoTran. MoTran is a division of Maputo-based MoCargo, responsible for international transit and ships agency, which has been involved in moving freight through Mozambique since 1982. With a staff of around 240, MoCargo has a presence in all the major Mozambican centres. Knowing the local conditions means that the logistics company can select the right form of transport, says Dengo. An example is the north of Mozambique where continual flooding and lack of maintenance during the civil war have left the roads in extremely poor condition, and rail is the preferred means of transport. MoCargo has its own branches in the main ports of Maputo, Beira and Nacala. Dengo says one of the advantages of dealing with a locally owned private company is that importers and exporters are talking directly to the decision-makers who can make decisions quickly without having to refer to head office. Local companies also have a commitment to the development of the local economy, and MoCargo is a founder member of the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative, he says.
