Volumes through the Port of Maputo reached 21 million tons in 2019, breaking the 2018 record of 19.5 million. According to a spokesman for the Mozambican port, this 8% growth was based largely on the increased chrome and magnetite handling. The port also saw substantial growth in container handling.“Of the total volumes handled, chrome has been responsible for 30%,” said the spokesman. “A total of 6.4 million tons of this mineral was transported by road, representing some 82% of the total chrome transported to the port.”Ongoing efforts by the Mozambican rail company CFM, the South-African rail company TFR, and the Port of Maputo continued to pave the way for improved rail handling efficiency and a more balanced ratio between road and rail, she said.“On the other hand, and as a consequence of the container terminal expansion and an aggressive marketing strategy, container traffic has grown 53% compared to 2018, with 162 000 TEUs handled.”The port is upbeat about further growth in 2020 thanks to the completion of its berth rehabilitation project. The first phase will be delivered in May and the second in July.“The rehabilitation will not only create berths with a draught of up to -16 metres, but it will improve the occupancy rate of berths by creating a larger mooring area,” said the spokesman. Two new mobile harbour cranes, payloaders, tractors and rail excavators have also been identified as contributing factors to the 2019 bulk cargo handling results.