‘Trial run proved Maputo car terminal’s efficiency’

DECEMBER SAW what Brenda Horne, CEO of Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI), described as “a very successful first trial by a major manufacturer” when a vessel called to deliver the first import vehicles at the Maputo Car Terminal (MCT). “It also put to test the supply chain for transit exports from Gauteng,” she told FTW. “A very successful supervision by customs was done at Rosslyn in Pretoria, and the verification and acquittal took place at Lebombo. “The entire logistics chain proved itself, and this first trial run also offered an excellent opportunity for onthe- job training for all employees. The unanimous vote was that the industry can expect world class services from this terminal in future.” Pieter Venter, GM of the MCT, is delighted with the Höegh Autoliners initiative (See page 1), and – during the time FTW interviewed him – he was in a series of meetings with the line’s management team. “I’m busy sitting with them at the moment,” he said, “as we conduct strategy discussions on the subject.” MCT has also had discussions with three different OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), and “the interest in the car terminal”, Venter said, “is growing daily”. He also told FTW that calls by a major shipping line like Höegh had shown a commitment on the car carriers’ side of things, and shortly expected to see a similar commitment from SA manufacturers. The MCT has already passed its own initiation tests, Venter added, and has been successfully handling “the relatively small” volume of vehicle imports currently coming into the Port of Maputo for domestic consumption in Mozambique. But he described himself as “confident” that the terminal could handle the extra traffic that the SA vehicle industry was likely to produce, and that there was significant potential for Maputo as an alternative port to the already under-strain Port of Durban car terminal.