Covid-related supply chain interruptions around the world – and related lockdowns – have caused major delays to container shipping, posing serious challenges to ports such as Beira, says Miguel de Jenga, commercial director, Cornelder de Moçambique.“The biggest challenge for our container terminal is the global container shortage and accompanying increased ocean freight rates,” he told Freight News. “It has not all been negative, however, as it has brought about new opportunities of thinking how to keep the supply chain active and responsive to market demands.”He said out-of-the-box, innovative solutions were increasingly being implemented across the corridor, and logistics operators were working hard to ensure Beira remained competitive.“A consortium of three national banks has provided $200 million for the rehabilitation of the Machipanda Railway Line, which connects the Port of Beira with Zimbabwe. The African Development Bank provided $700 000 for environmental and social impact assessment for the civil works for maintenance to the Machipanda Railway Line. This is a critical development for the Beira Corridor stakeholders in general, as the rehabilitation of the line promises to lower transit times between Mozambique and Zimbabwe and lower pressure of usage of National Road number 6.”He said another positive was the political stability the country was experiencing. “The instability in Cabo Delgado in the north of Mozambique seems to be under control since the deployment of Rwandan and SADC troops in July. We have seen many companies resuming their activities in the north of Mozambique, which is a win-win situation for the local economy in general, but also for neighbouring countries that are heavily dependent on our ports.”Commenting on trends in Mozambique, De Jenga said there was a growing move by shipping lines to extend their reach through the establishment of their own depots. “This stimulates competition in the market, while simultaneously increasing capacity to accommodate more cargo on the Beira Corridor.
