Maputo port finds growing demand from certain cargoes

Alan Peat FOR CERTAIN cargoes, there is a distinctly strong case for using Maputo rather than Durban or Richards Bay, according to Bob Bristol of East Rand-based International Logistics Management (ILM). For bulk cargo from the north eastern quadrant of the country it's a must, he added - with lower transport costs by both road and rail, and a big saving from the fact that Maputo doesn't inflict ad valorem wharfage on users. The big performer in the ILM stable using Maputo harbour is the Mpumalanga-based sugar mill of TSB. It shipped out 30 000 tons of bagged white sugar last year via the Mozambique capital where the cargo is containerised at a specialised warehousing facility ready for shipment. That tonnage Bristol expects to be doubled this year. "We are also doing bulk transport of molasses and brown sugar for this client," he told FTW, "with as many as 20 rail wagons a week going down to the sugar terminal in Maputo." Add to that 2 000 tons of bananas for the Banana Growers of SA, and 600 tons of citrus fruit recently. "This is helped by the fruit terminal at the harbour, and another nearby," said Bristol, "with hints of plans for a bigger terminal in the pipeline. "We've also had enquiries from a number of Mpumalanga timber exporters, who also see the benefits of Maputo as a point of export." But for containerised general cargo - particularly high-value, fast delivery goods - Maputo is still caught in a Catch 22 situation, according to Bristol. "Without the ships there won't be cargo," he said, "and without the cargo there won't be the ships. "And MACS - with its multi-purpose vessels - is still the only international container-carrying line of any note which has Maputo on its regular schedule."