Maputo reaps benefits of infrastructure investment

Investment in Mozambican port infrastructure is paying off, with volumes to the country on the increase, says Luis Junaide Lalgy of Lalgy Transport. “With the current growth in Mozambique it is essential that we continue to invest in infrastructure – not only at the Port of Maputo but also at the Ports of Beira and Nacala,” he said. “We are seeing a period of unprecedented growth and to support this we must ensure we have the infrastructure in place to make the most of this growth.” According to Lalgy, while the Port of Maputo has made significant inroads due to the large investments in infrastructure attracting more and more volumes, the challenges at Beira and Nacala remain. “There is no doubt that the infrastructure improvements in Maputo have led to improved efficiency all round when it comes to loading vessels and delivering or collecting cargo from the port,” he told FTW. “Ports are chosen based on their capacity to handle the required cargo and therefore creating that capacity is essential if the country as a whole is to benefit from the interest it is attracting globally.” At the same time cost and efficiency also come into play. “Not only do we need to ensure we have the right infrastructure and equipment, but we must also operate it efficiently to ensure that it is cost competitive.” But, said Lalgy, it is also important that local companies benefit from the increased volumes. “In terms of cross-border transport between South Africa and Mozambique, specifically transit cargo through Maputo Port, regrettably the opportunities are not being shared with Mozambican hauliers. This is creating a huge barrier for the local industry to grow while at the same time affecting the employment of more local people,” he said.