Maputo port invites freight forwarders to set up shop

The port of Maputo is encouraging freight forwarders to set up office in the Mozambican capital in order to take advantage of spare import capacity. “We want more imports, and forwarders control the port of entry,” says Jorge Ferraz, chief executive officer of the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC). Ferraz is urging freight forwarders to re-evaluate their traditional routes and to consider the rapidly growing port of Maputo as an alternative. First movers and their clients will be at an advantage, he believes. The MPDC is planning to invest US$750 million in the port’s infrastructure over the next 20 years in order to grow breakbulk export volumes to 50 million tons. “With increased volumes that will increase to a billion dollars,” he says confidently. This is in addition to the US$250 million already invested in the Maputo and Matola terminals. Container capacity is currently around 150 000 TEUs a year, with about 25% of traffic being transit cargo. Spare capacity in the container terminal provides shipping companies with the opportunity to “bring cargo bound for Nacala and Beira here rather than Durban,” he says. Increased capacity in the container terminal is currently being considered through reconfiguration of the quayside facilities. Most importantly, according to Ferraz, is the attitude of the port authorities and the staff working there. “Our staff is motivated and encouraged to share ideas and opinions with management at regular meetings. That way we can identify problems early, and find solutions quickly,” he says. Progress is also being made with the customs authorities for the review of the transhipment and transit Customs regulations in order to make them more flexible and to address the need to facilitate and grow trade.