MSC adds Maputo calls

MSC has increased

the frequency of its

calls into the port of

Maputo in order to

reduce waiting times for shippers

using the container terminal.

This is part

of the line’s

long-term

commitment to

Mozambique.

Service levels

have been

maintained or

increased at the

two main ports

of Beira and

Maputo despite

the current

downturn in

volumes, according to Nicola

del Vecchio, general manager of

Mediterranean Shipping Company

Mozambique.

As a result MSC’s share of the

market has grown, he says.

The line’s South Africa to

Mozambique/Mombasa service

calls on Beira, Maputo and

Nacala.

There are now weekly

transhipments between Durban

and Maputo, as well as weekly

calls by the north and southbound

feeders on Beira, says Del

Vecchio.

Beira has been the least affected

by the drop in

volumes in the

region, with

MSC seeing

“good growth”

in transit cargo

to Zimbabwe

and Malawi.

MSC calls on

Nacala once a

fortnight, but

Del Vecchio is

confident that

this frequency

will be increased to match growing

volumes.

“Volumes have dropped in Nacala

over the last two years but we expect

them to increase in coming years.

“Over the next four to five years

there will be tremendous growth

in Nacala volumes. We are already

seeing an increase, and investment

in the port will support further

expansion,” he says.

Del Vecchio believes that

having a feeder service to

Durban benefits importers

and exporters making use of

Mozambican ports.

The South African port is

connected directly to the main

export destinations and sources

of imports.

“All lines tranship somewhere.

In fact, there is not much

difference in the transit time for

cargo bound to Shanghai from

Maputo between transhipping

it in Durban or calling direct,”

he says.

Because of the

linkages South

African shippers –

particularly those

based in Mpumalanga

– can use Maputo as an

alternative to Durban.

“We can handle

anything in Maputo,

and we currently

have the capacity

on the vessel.

There is no short

shipping out of

the port,” he says.

INSERT & CAPTION

Over the next four to

five years there will be

tremendous growth in

Nacala volumes.

– Nicola del Vecchio