Maputo reduces tariffs to woo SA-based clients

A focus on costs and related
efficiencies makes Maputo
a viable alternative for
Gauteng-based importers
and exporters, according to Johann
Botha, commercial director of the
Maputo Port Development Company
(MPDC).
Maputo is a multi-purpose
port with a modern car terminal,
container terminal, specialised bulk
and breakbulk terminals and a
cabotage terminal.
MPDC is continuing to invest in
order to diversify Maputo’s cargo
profile while at the same time
improving efficiency and service
levels, he says.
Maputo’s container terminal
is ranked as the most improved
in Africa in the 2016 JOC Port
Productivity database.
Operated by Dubai Ports, the
port’s productivity increased by 119%
over the past year, according to the
report.
It measures relative improvement
starting with berth productivity —
the average number of container
moves per crane, per hour while a
ship is at berth.
These statistics are then evaluated
by call size to achieve actual
improvement in year-over-year
performance.
Dar es Salaam in Tanzania showed
the second-best improvement in
productivity, according to the index.
DP World’s container terminal has
been expanded, with plans to boost
the capacity to 300 000 TEUs a year.
There are regular calls on the
container terminal by a number
of lines, which link
Maputo to both the
east and west.
Maputo is also
ideally situated as
a hub for Gauteng
vehicle exports and
imports,
according
to
Grindrod, which owns and operates
the vehicle terminal in the port.
It has become more competitive
following a reduction in tariffs in
order to assist South African-based
clients faced with the challenge of
a weakening rand – costs in the
terminal are charged in dollars.
Höegh Autoliners has acquired
an interest in the car terminal and
is working with Grindrod to help
develop it into a major hub port for
the region.
The terminal also serves the
second-hand import car market to
service other African countries and
the transhipment of vehicles for the
eastern seaboard.
It can handle 150 000 units a year,
and has over 4 000 parking bays.
A new grain terminal
has been completed
in time to handle
maize imports for
Zimbabwe and
other droughtstricken
countries
served by
the port of
Maputo.
CAPTION
Johann Botha... Maputo a viable alternative for Gauteng shippers