Shipping lines operating in
Mozambique are putting
pressure on the port and
terminal operators to reduce
costs in order to make the ports
more competitive in the region.
Of particular concern to the
lines are the costs related to
Maputo.
According to a study by
Associação das Linhas de
Navegação, which represents the
shipping companies, on average
vessel operation costs in Maputo
are 100% more expensive than in
Beira, and 83% more expensive
than Nacala.
A cost comparison done
on handling a shipment that
includes a mix of 20- and 40-foot
containers, with both imports
and exports, shows that the total
cost in Maputo is US$147 068,
compared to US$97 154 in
Durban, US$67 791 in Mombasa
and US$51 600 in Dar es
Salaam.
In Maputo there is an
additional cost of channel fees,
which average US$10 718 per
call, according to the shipping
lines.
Spokespeople for both the
Dubai World Maputo container
terminal and Maputo Port
Development Corporation told
FTW that the issues raised by the
lines were being addressed.
