Maputo terminal achieves one-hour turnaround

MAPUTO – The Port of Maputo’s Car Terminal, built and operated by Grindrod, has achieved its goal of a one-hour turnaround from the offloading of a vehicle from a vessel to its departure via road on a car carrier. Now it is just a matter of increasing volumes to meet the new facility’s capacity, FTW learned on an inspection tour last month. “The turnaround time is achieved by Maputo Car Terminal performing the Customs clearing function in conjunction with the OEM/ importer providing documentation as per the system requirements,” said Alison Briggs, Group PR and marketing manager for Grindrod. Phase One has been completed, with 1455 parking spaces currently available. By phase three, as the high-security paved area expands to cover what is presently weedy rail sidings, 7500 cars will be accommodated, with 250 000 cars per annum potentially moving into and quickly out of the facility. At that time the terminal will be manned by a staff complement of about 200, all Mozambican nationals. “We have a 35-year concession from the port authority. We started construction in 2007 after clients had come to us pleading for an additional car terminal, but also at a time when many voices said it couldn’t be done,” said Pieter Venter, Grindrod’s general manager for the terminal. An administration building – its newness stands out amid the older structures of the port, though perhaps not for long as neighbouring terminal buildings are slated for replacement – overlooks an inspection facility where banks of fluorescent lights reveal any shipping damage vehicles might have incurred. “We have various clients at present, from individuals to big clients like importers into Mozambique, neighbouring African countries and car manufacturers in South Africa. Three shipping lines come here at the moment and a potential three more are on the cards,” said Venter. One vessel per month comes from Höegh Autoliners. The shipping firm’s 5500-vehicle capacity Höegh Treasure recently made its inauguration voyage to the terminal, which will be able to handle the entirety of the ship’s capacity by the conclusion of Phase 2 later this year. Two European automakers met the ship with an interest in using Maputo port to bring in their vehicles destined for SA.