US$838 in investments planned for Maputo terminals

Investments totalling US$838 are planned for the twin ports of Maputo and Matola by the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), according to commercial director Johann Botha. The MPDC, which is a joint venture between Grindrod, DP World Mozambique Gestores and MPDC has the concession rights to operate the Port of Maputo to 2033, with an option to extend for a further 10 years. Speaking at the annual Port of Maputo Conference, Botha said an approved Port Master Plan is in place to ensure that growth initiatives are implemented in a planned and structured manner. The port is promoting its geographic strengths, as it is the closest harbour to Gauteng, as well as the Limpopo and Mpumalanga mining regions. There had been a 260% growth in volumes passing through the port between 2003, when the MPDC first became involved in managing the port and 2012. Capacity on the main port of Maputo would be increased from the present 12 million tons a year to 20 million tons. In Matola, the Master Plan allows for growth from six million tons to 30 million tons of ore and coal a year. This growth is, however, dependent on improving the rail infrastructure and capacity on both sides of the border. Speaking at the Maputo Port conference, Rosário Mualeia, chairman of the board of the Mozambican CFM railways said work had started on modernising the line between Ressano Garcia and Maputo to cater for a growth in tonnage from 4.5 million tons a year to a projected 50 million tons a year. Ten new locomotives had been ordered, with the first set due to be delivered in the first quarter of 2014. Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) chief executive Siyabonga Gama told delegates that US$20 million was needed to upgrade the Ressano Garcia to Maputo Line, with a further US$50 million in rolling stock. The deployment of new wagons and locomotives has already improved operational efficiency on the line, he said. This has been confirmed to FTW by Barbara Mommen of the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative. Planned investments in South Africa to “densify” the corridor include upgrading the rail and yard infrastructure, doubling sections of the track and electrifying the whole route, according to Gama. INSERT 1 Current phase – US$155 million Infrastructure New Slab at the Bulk terminal Interim Sheds in the bulk terminal New internal rail-lines TCM Expansion Phase 3.2 MCTL Phase 2 expansion GML Phase 3 expansion Berths 1 to 4 rehabilitated (for car carriers and import cargo) Gate 1 Expansion and road rehabilitation New MICD Facility Equipment 12 x new payloaders 2 x ship-loaders (Jan 2014) Link belts for stockpile area 1 x Ram-revolver 14 x skeletal trailers New fenders for all berths Additional tug boat with 65.000 tons bollard pull INSERT 2 Investments over next two years – budget US$355 million Infrastructure Definitive bulk terminal Upgrade of berths 6 to 8 Container terminal expansion Additional yard New Rail terminal Additional Jersey barriers to optimise storage MCTL Phase 3 New Northern Boundary Road New Wind & Dust barriers Equipment 2 x back-actors 2 x Excavators Tug boat replacement Pilot boat replacement Automated cargo systems INSERT 3 Medium term (3-5 years) – US$328 million Infrastructure TCM Conclusion Phase 4 Channel Dredging -14m Bulk terminal Phase 2 Rehabilitation of arrival/departure rail yard Internal rail shunting model DPW berth expansion Equipment Ship loaders for Bulk terminal 2 x Back-actors 12 x tractor trailers 24 x skips