Local knowledge is key

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.