Maputo shores up competitive arsenal

As the Port of Maputo positions
itself as an alternative to the
KwaZulu Natal-based ports of
Durban and Richards Bay, it is
forging ahead with infrastructure
upgrades – despite the depressed
economic conditions.
“Work started
on dredging the
port last month,
deepening the
channel by
three metres to
14 metres, to
enable the port
to accommodate
vessels with
a loading
capacity of up
to 80 000 tonnes, compared to
the current 60 000 tonnes,” said
Johann Botha, commercial director
at the Maputo Port Development
Company (MPDC). He added that
the deepening was expected to be
completed by early next year.
He told FTW that two berths
would also be developed to create
a 500-metre quay wall with a
designated depth of 15 metres.
“Sheds are being upgraded and fitted
with new roofs and doors and bulk
storage capacity will be upped,” said
Botha. Phase 6 of the new chrome
slab would be
completed this
month, providing
an extra 1.2
million tonnes
of capacity for
ferro chrome
and chrome
ore exports, he
added.
He admitted
that retention of
business, not to mention acquisition
of new business, was tough in an
economically depressed environment.
“We also face the border-crossing
challenges associated with transit
cargo from South Africa, Swaziland
and Zimbabwe which provide
difficulties in operational efficiency
and lead to higher costs so we
have to work extra hard to remain
competitive,” commented Botha.
In an effort to streamline
operations and remain
competitive, MPDC has turned its
focus on improving operational
efficiency as a way of reducing
costs. “The recent acquisition of
two new mobile harbour cranes
allowed the port to increase
its cargo handling statistics
and vessel turnaround time has
improved by one full day,” said Botha.
He added that this acquisition was
coupled with an intensive training
programme for crane operators
which saw cargo handling ratios
increasing from 12 to 22 swings per
hour.
“We have not increased port
tariffs for the past three years and
MPDC has facilitated discussions
with other critical supply chain
role-players to also review tariffs,”
explained Botha.
INSERT & CAPTION
We have not increased port
tariffs for the past three
years.
– Johann Botha
CAPTION
The Port of Maputo has four mobile harbour cranes
with a maximum lifting capacity of 280 tonnes.