Transnet strike reinforced importance of options

South Africa’s prolonged Transnet strike earlier this year served to reinforce the message that one should not always have all one’s eggs in one basket, Brenda Horne- Ferreira, chief executive officer of the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI), told the Transport Forum recently. “It is important to limit risk and never be in a position as an exporter that should Durban fall flat you cannot sustain yourself. Maputo offers the alternative and has proved its importance and worth time and again,” said Horne-Ferreira. “It does not, however, stand alone, but is very much a part of the region and is seen as such by South African authorities.” With more shipping lines now servicing Maputo directly, the port has become a viable option for importers and exporters. Horne-Ferreira said the stimulation of trade following the upgrading of infrastructure not just at the port but also the N4 linking Gauteng to Maputo had had a major impact on the region. “We have seen the opening up of South African markets to Mozambican producers and access to global markets through the development of the Maputo Port. In addition employment has been created through increased economic activity in Maputo and along the Corridor, with the ability to shift to higher value-added industry sectors.” She said Port authorities had committed to a 20-year port master plan which would see major improvements at the Port of Maputo – and the region now offered comparative freight and travel times. “We are also working very hard towards creating a 24-hour Joint One Stop Border post. It is a work in progress.”