New equipment peps up Maputo productivity

Tugs now fully operational Leonard Neill THE ARRIVAL of two tugs from Hong Kong in the Port of Maputo on the last day of June heralded what Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) chief executive Alec Don has described as ‘a successful and encouraging completion of our first three months of private management.’ Both are now fully operational. MPDC took over the management of the port in April and has already introduced numerous changes in both handling equipment and staff operations. The tugs arrived under the control of a Chinese crew who will remain in Maputo for a short while to operate the two craft and to train local personnel. “These are among 400 employees we have taken on,” says Don. “All have shown commitment to our port development programme. All were employed in a tight time schedule and are undergoing comprehensive training aimed at upgrading the working knowledge of all port staff. “We are exposing them to up-to-date business principles, modern health and safety practices and practical skills.” During the start-up period a range of operational equipment has been purchased, including multi-purpose stevedoring gear, personal protective clothing for all operational staff, vehicles and communications systems. Mozambique’s largest industry, Mozal, situated near Maputo, has become one of the major beneficiaries of the improved services. New handling gear lifting alumina in bulk bags from arriving vessels, for example, can now discharge nine bags at a time. Previously this was restricted to one or two bags at the most. “The immediate impact of our initial efforts is a productivity increase of about 40%,” says Don. MPDC is giving priority to port-wide security, he says. A security contractor has been appointed and a tender to construct a 6km security perimeter fence has been awarded. Completion of the fence, including new gates and access control systems, is expected by September.