Plans to expand the container terminal at the Port of Maputo form part of a long-term strategy to position the Mozambican port as a regional hub for hinterland locations across southern and southeast Africa. DP World has operated the container terminal since 2008 and is focused on making it the preferred terminal for South Africa, Zimbabwe and Eswatini, says Captain Sumeet Bhardwaj, CEO of DP World Maputo.“The goal is to meet the growing demands of global trade, improve port capabilities and infrastructure, and contribute to Mozambique’s economic growth and the development of local communities. The new technologies and proposed deep water terminal in Maputo will offer carriers a faster and lower-cost turnaround for ships,” he told Freight News.“For end-customers, freight rates into Maputo will become more competitive, and deliveries to final destinations will be accelerated.”Bhardwaj said the expansion project, set to begin in the first quarter of this year, includes a range of strategic developments designed to significantly enhance capacity, efficiency and operational capability.Key upgrades include a complete revamp of the terminal yard and quay, encompassing civil, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) infrastructure to modernise and improve facility efficiency. Phase 1 will increase the yard capacity by 6.48 hectares, doubling throughput from 255 000 TEUs to 530 000 TEUs. To manage larger container volumes and a diverse range of commodities, new state-of-the-art equipment will be introduced, including three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes capable of handling post-Panamax ships and an expanded f leet of rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, complementing the existing mobile harbour crane (MHC) f leet. Reefer container capacity will also be expanded, growing from 450 to 715 plugs. To accommodate larger vessels, the total quay length will be extended to 650 metres in Phase 1, a significant increase from the current 308 metres. The berth will be deepened from 12 to 16 metres on an extension of 400 metres.An upgrade to gate facilities aims to significantly reduce port turnaround times, with the construction of new gates bringing the total to three gates each for entry and exit. Gate automation using optical character recognition (OCR) technology will streamline container number, condition and client identification processes, cutting transaction times and minimising liabilities.The project also prioritises the welfare of the workforce, with new facilities to accommodate additional personnel, ensuring their wellbeing and the availability of a skilled labour force. Enhanced security measures, including broader live monitoring and advanced CCTV technologies, will improve operational safety.A new rail connection between DP World Komatipoort (South Africa) and the terminal will facilitate faster cargo movement between Maputo and Gauteng, reducing border clearance times and delays. The facility at Komatipoort will also handle bulk operations, further cementing its role as a key player in the regional supply chain.The project is expected to be completed towards the end of 2026. “In addition to the ongoing implementations, several other key initiatives are planned for our terminal operations, reducing inefficiencies and enhancing visibility,” said Bhardwaj.These include enhancing the terminal operating system (TOS), ushering in a new era of fully automated and predictable operations. This upgrade will include implementing a robust vehicle booking system (VBS). The port’s client community system (CCS) is also undergoing a digital transformation, with electronic digital interface connections to shipping lines, customs and banks.LV
