Maputo expands storage capacity

The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) is continuing to record steady growth, according to commercial director Johann Botha. He told FTW this was in line with the significant growth seen at the Port of Maputo in the past five years. The port is now expected to achieve a total throughput of between 19 and 20 million tons this year. “The expansion and development of the port has been ongoing for the past few years and it is paying off as we continue to see volumes grow,” he said. “Our expansion and growth, however, is still far from over.” Botha said several initiatives were on the cards to sustain the growth, including expanding the port’s storage capacity. “The expansion of the ferrochrome yard is a month away from completion. This will double the handling capacity to 2.3 million tons per year,” he said. “We are also currently in the midst of a tender process for Phase 5 of the chrome terminal expansion project. This, once completed, will add 1.1 million tons of handling capacity for chrome ore and chrome concentrate.” Botha said the first cargo in the new facility was expected in January next year. “We are also investing in increased rail offloading capacity by providing additional sidings as well as additional offloading equipment. This includes two back-actors to facilitate quick turnaround of all cargo.” According to Botha, the port also recently increased the number of its road weighbridges, used to weigh cargo being received and being loaded onto vessels, from a total of five to eight. “Plans are in the pipeline for another three to be made available by early 2015. This will bring the total of weighbridges in the port to 11,” he said. In addition, a new dedicated manager who will focus on managing the total cargo weighing function has been appointed. What’s also very important, said Botha, is to maximise the loading capacities of each of the 16 berths at the port. “To enable us to achieve the planned throughput, we are in the process of dredging all of the berths,” he said. The tender process for the dredging is currently in progress. “The Port of Maputo is on a journey that involves continuous improvement from an infrastructure as well as operational efficiency point of view,” he said. INSERT & CAPTION The expansion of the ferrochrome yard is a month away from completion. This will double the handling capacity to 2.3 million tons per year. – Johann Botha CAPTION The Port of Maputo … on a journey of continuous improvement in infrastructure and operational efficiency.