Construction at the Port of Maputo’s container terminal is progressing well, with DP World’s $164-million expansion programme expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.
During a visit to Mozambique, Freight News this week joined several industry stakeholders on a tour of the terminal, where the existing 308-metre quay is being extended to a total length of 650 metres. Of this, 400 metres will have a draught of 16 metres to accommodate larger vessels, while the remaining 250 metres will have a draught of 12 metres.
The first phase of the project will almost double the terminal’s annual handling capacity from 255 000 TEUs to 500 000 TEUs. It also includes 700 additional reefer plugs and three ship-to-shore cranes, which will operate across the two new berths.
DP World Maputo chief executive officer Captain Sumeet Bhardwaj said the project, while progressing well, had faced some challenges because Maputo was a tidal port and part of the sea had to be reclaimed to construct the new quay.
Despite this, he said there had been strong support and “a positive will from the entire group” to deliver the expansion as quickly as possible.
Many ports across Africa were becoming saturated and additional capacity was needed to unlock further growth, Bhardwaj said. However, unlike ports such as Dakar and Dar es Salaam, Maputo had not traditionally operated as a natural gateway port.
Most vessels calling at Maputo had come via transhipment hubs rather than sailing directly from Europe, the Far East or the Indian subcontinent.
“This development and expansion project is going to unlock that opportunity for Maputo,” he told Freight News. He said the benefits would extend beyond DP World to Mozambique’s broader logistics sector and economy.
The timing of the expansion was particularly important as investment and project activity in northern Mozambique had begun to accelerate again, driven largely by renewed gas developments, Bhardwaj said.
“Companies are investing and projects are being fast-tracked. All the related project materials and cargo moving into and out of the country will need an efficient gateway,” he said. “With other ports facing capacity constraints, Maputo is well positioned to provide the additional support the country requires.”
According to DP World chief commercial officer Maneesh Goel, the project is about 70% complete.
“We are on track to deliver on the commitments we made to our customers and stakeholders. The new ship-to-shore cranes will arrive in December and will take about a month to commission. We will be ready by February, March at the latest, next year.”
