Container terminal is proceeding well PROGRESS CONTINUES in the refurbishment of the Maputo Container Terminal, but while this operation is proving successful, shippers have expressed concern at the charges being levied by the harbour authorities.
The port is not very helpful, says Maritime Carrier Shipping m.d. Felix Scheder-Bieschin. I have a feeling they don't want cargo.
MIPS has made considerable progress in its refurbishment programme and should have it all completed by the year's end They keep putting their prices up and the whole chain of handling, stevedoring and railage is not competitive with Richards Bay and Durban for instance.
We feel that the port will not cope with much more traffic because loading methods for general cargo are totally antiquated. For instance the port does not seem willing to load two different parcels simultaneously. What is needed is a re-evaluation of the services and price structure and then some aggressive marketing. CFM Mozambique Ports and Railways commercial manager Dr David Gomes was not available for comment on this issue last week due to business commitments in other parts, but can expect questions to be raised when he hosts the ÔMaputo Port opportunities and incentives' half-day workshop and seminar in Nelspruit on August 28.
At the container terminal, David Cotty c.e.o. for Mozambique International Ports Services (MIPS) who are responsible for terminal operations, is satisfied that plans are proceeding to schedule for the upgrading.
He says that during the first half of this year MIPS has made considerable progress in its refurbishment programme and should have it all completed by the year's end.
Repairs on no. 1 crane have been completed and it is now fully operational. Repairs on no. 2 crane are expected to be completed by mid-October.
The no.1 crane is becoming a well-known landmark in Maputo, especially for low flying aircraft with its bright yellow livery and flashing navigation lights, says Cotty.
Earlier this year MIPS took delivery of new mobile equipment consisting of a 42 tonne forklift and a 10 tonne forklift as well as three Tugmasters and trailers. Some of the older equipment is now undergoing refurbishment.
Work has been completed on upgrading the terminal warehouse. It is now an excellent facility with doors and roof in place, says Cotty.
Twenty new electrical outlets have been installed for the handling of refrigerated containers, a number that can be increased as necessary.
Vessels are now berthing and sailing at night when individual arrangements are made with the port authorities, while the Polana Channel has a minimum depth of nine metres.
