New rail excavators pump up productivity

The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) has commissioned two new rail excavators this year. According to Marla Calado, COO of the MPDC, this brings the fleet to a total of six excavators for the discharging of rail wagons at the port which is continuing to invest in its operational equipment. Calado told FTW that

the first excavator, ExO9, had gone into operation on January 16 and the second, Ex10, on February 8. The addition of the two excavators has allowed the port to increase its offloading capacity from 120 wagons per day to 204, representing an increase of 70%.  “These numbers are attainable by allowing the port to utilise up to five

offloading sites (lines) whilst still maintaining a flexible preventive maintenance routine,” said Calado.  “During its first month of operation Ex09 made a significant contribution to a 23% increase in operational efficiency when compared to the previous month of December 2018.” Calado said the excavators were part of an on-going project to improve the

port’s efficiency through the modernisation of its fleet. At the beginning of this month the port took delivery of two new mobile harbour cranes. The acquisition of new equipment (including, tractors, forklifts and payloaders) represents a total investment of about $19 million.  Also under way is the unmanned weighbridge project, part of an

automation strategy at the port. This includes a control room that will allow port officials to control all port weighbridges remotely and without an operator. “It is one of the most important projects for 2019. Simulations are currently being made and the system should be fully operational in the latter half of the year,” said Calado.