‘Maputo a viable alternative to Durban’

The port of Maputo can offer an alternative to Durban and does not necessarily have to pose a threat to its immediate South African neighbour, says Safmarine’s Southern Africa trade executive, Alex de Bruyn. Responding to comment by Dole SA’s Andy Connell, that Maputo’s problem has nothing to do with capacity but rather a lack of commitment from shippers, De Bruyn concedes “a very small percentage of our South African volumes move through the ports of Mozambique currently.” He says: “Safmarine has been supporting its customers’ cargoes through Maputo and Beira historically through regular feeder connections via its investment in its southern African feeder operator, Ocean Africa Line. “In addition, Safmarine, together with Maersk Line, launched a direct Maputo weekly service to/from Asia in 2009.” As to whether Safmarine is satisfied with the commitment by the Maputo port investors, which include DP World, Grindrod, the Portuguese company Portus Indico, and Mozambique Gestores, De Bruyn says the line is working actively with Mozambique International Port Services (MIPS) or DP World directly and through the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI) on all issues affecting container throughput through Mozambique.