With the rehabilitation of berths 6, 7, 8 and 9 at the Port of Maputo on track for completion in December this year, the port is positioning itself as a competitor for Durban cargo. This rehabilitation will see the port create berths with a depth of up to 15 metres, allowing it to handle larger vessels. It also intends to improve the occupancy rate of the berths by creating a larger mooring area, according to a spokesman. And as it gears up for growth, the port is prioritising training with the inauguration of five new simulators for all types of machine operations. According to a spokesman the simulators, unveiled by the Mozambican Minister of Transport and Communications Carlos Mesquita recently, are part of a complete training facility which also includes an artificial training hatch, an obstacle field for manoeuvre training and facilities for theory classes. The simulators can be used for a variety of operations including Rubber Tyre Gantries (RTGs), mobile and fixed cranes, forklifts and tractors to name a few. The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) has an institutional partnership with the Port of Antwerp to ensure the establishment of adequate training programmes. According to the spokesman the simulators will increase productivity and reduce incidents. “The centre currently serves MPDC and its sub-concessions but it is prepared to train all types of port terminal operators,” he said. The port has also recently taken delivery of two new Liebherr mobile LHM 550 harbour cranes as part of a drive to improve productivity, according to the spokesman. This is in addition to the 14 payloaders, eight tractors, eight forklifts and two rail excavators for wagon unloading operations that were purchased earlier this year.
