Maputo’s lack of container capacity holds back citrus exporters

Nelspruit – Even when a new truck lane is operative at the Komatipoort border post, efforts to move larger volumes of SA exports through Maputo will be hobbled until the port increases container shipping to global markets. Stakeholders involved in the Maputo Corridor said at a corridor assessment meeting in Nelspruit recently that the 24/7 one stop border post operations at Komatipoort were essential, and that completion by mid-year of a separate truck lane could not come soon enough. Shipping agents, agricultural exporters, transporters and other parties agreed that export costs would decrease for SA firms for whom Maputo is closer than SA ports. The port authority promised stakeholders that container services to global markets would be introduced in the near future. SA citrus exporters were vocal in their support for container services. “The (Maputo) corridor has the potential to decrease the cost of citrus exports for the northern regions,” the Citrus Growers’ Association said.