The Port of Maputo is gaining support as a cost-effective and less bureaucratic option for Gauteng shippers. “The partnership between the key players – the port is a joint venture between Grindrod and Dubai World, who hold 51%, and the Mozambique government, which holds a 49% share – is hugely advantageous for operators in the region,” says Sturrock Shipping managing director Andrew Sturrock. “We believe it will start becoming more and more the preferred gateway for the Gauteng and Mpumalanga areas.” Nissan recently took the plunge as the first motor manufacturer to start exporting its cars through the port. Major road works are under way from the Lydenburg/Sabie and Nelspruit intersections to widen the roads to three lanes on each side, to enable high occupancy vehicles to occupy one of the three lanes for easier traffic flow.
