South African mining houses and agricultural producers are looking increasingly to Maputo as a viable option for exports, especially in light of ongoing woes with Transnet and growing security risks.According to Duncan Bonnett of research and consulting firm Africa House, it is a trend that’s gaining traction. “Looking at Transnet and the current challenges it faces, we are seeing more and more mining and agriculture exporters looking at Maputo as an option. There’s the strong possibility that they will increasingly reroute through Mozambique.”He said it was not just because of capacity – the security issues on the N3 were also a consideration. “No exporter wants to run the gauntlet of having their product and trucks destroyed or their drivers harassed.”Ongoing investment in the Mozambican ports and in the corridors to South Africa is making the option more viable than ever, and Maputo is proving to be an excellent gateway for South African exporters shipping to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. And, with a mix of new sailing options having been introduced, including a new direct sailing service, there is no reason for exporters to move their cargo along cumbersome, congested and unsafe corridors.According to the Citrus Growers Association (CGA), members have been very impressed with the developments in Maputo. Both the Maputo Port Fruit Terminal and DP World Maputo are seeing ongoing investment and have proven that they are more than capable of handling citrus exports with the return of the commodity to Mozambique this season.“With role players having made serious investments and commitments aligned to exporting citrus from Maputo, producers in South Africa are encouraged to consider this option to ensure future sustainability for exports given the mounting pressure on the logistics chain,” said the CGA’s Mitchell Brooke.
