Maputo excludes transit cargo from tariff hike

Bekker to develop new business JOY ORLEK THE MAPUTO container terminal has excluded transit cargo from its recently-introduced general tariff increase as it continues to market its benefits as a transit port. “The rates for transit business from South and southern Africa have not changed,” Johannesburg-based new business development manager Jan Bekker told FTW. “For shippers based in the hinterland there are significant time and cost savings. “Tariffs are competitive with South African ports with the added advantage of no wharfage charges or harbour dues,” says Bekker who, with years of regional experience to his credit, has been charged with developing transit business to and from South Africa and neighbouring territories and attracting shipping lines to the port. Several companies have undertaken trial shipments, says Bekker, with pleasing results. These include the likes of Manganese Metal of Nelspruit, Vanchem, the chemical division of Highveld Steel, Columbus, Sasol Polymers and Sappi. The main constraint right now is the lack of direct sailing opportunities from the port, currently restricted to MACS, Messina Lines to the Med and Global Container Lines to the Gulf. “The rest are feeder services operated by OACL and MSC.” But Bekker believes that there are good reasons for shippers to consider the Maputo option to avoid current congestion in Durban. “A recent survey revealed substantial potential volumes destined for the Far East, South East Asia and China and we believe these destinations can be more than adequately served through Dar es Salaam and Port Louis, which are streamlined transhipment hubs.” Anyone interested can contact Bekker in Johannesburg for further information.